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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS
O F T II F.
CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON.
FOE THE MUNICIPAL YEAE 1878,
Commencing Monday, January 7th, 1878, and ending Monday,
January 6th, 1879.
BEING REPRINTS OF REPORTS AS PUBLISHED BY CONTRACT IN THE "BOSTON
EVENING TRANSCRIPT."
Tenth Annual Volume.
BOSTON:
PRESS OF ROCKWELL & CHURCHILL, CITY PRINTERS.
fREPRLNTS OF REPORTS FROM THE TRANSCRIPT PRESS.)
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
This Index is prepared in accordance with a vote of the
Committee on Printing.
The following topics are omitted, as not essential, or as
bettor classified for reference in Department offices: —
Petitions received and referred. See City Clerk.
Orders of notice, and hearings, unless subjects of discussion.
See City Clerk.
Police Ofiicors and Special Police. See Police Department.
Truant Officers. Sec School Dopartmont.
Conventions with School Committee. See City Clerk.
Jurors. See City Clerk.
Constables' Bonds. Soe City Clerk.
Streets — damages, and betterments assessed and abated. Soo
Street Commissioners and Supt. Streets.
Streets — temporary closing, removal of obstructions, paving
in front of estates. See Supt. Streets.
Sowers — assessments made, abated, and postponed. See
Sower Department.
I! uildings — permits authorized. See Inspector of Buildings.
Public Buildings — use of granted. See Supt. Public Build-
ings
Extensions of time for building. See Supt. Public Lands.
Taxes — assessed and abated. See Assessors.
Claims — allowed, and leave to withdraw, unless subjects of
discussion. See Clerk of Committees.
Leases. Seo Auditor of Accounts.
Licenses to Auctioneers, Undertakers, Victuallers, Innholders,
Pawnbrokers, Junk Collectors, Newsboys, Bootblaoks,
' and for Steam Engines and Boilers, Hoisting Beams,
Cellars below grado, Storage of Petroleum, Stables, Car-
riages, Wagons, Intelligonco Offices, sale of Second-hand
Articles, Billiard Halls, Projecting Signs and Lanterns,
Exhibitions, etc. Seo City Clerk.
I N" D B X .
ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
January 7th, 1878.
Prayer by Rev. Henry W. Foote, 1
Oath of office administered to Hon. Henry L. Pierce, Mayor-elect,
by Hon. Horace Gray, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial
Court, 1
Oaths of office administered by Mayor to members-elect of each
branch of City Council, 1
Delivery of Mayor's Inaugural Address, 1
Samuel F. McCleary elected City Clerk, 3 ; Oath of office admin-
istered by Mayor, 3
ORGANIZATION AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Board called to order by City Clerk, 1
Solomon B. Stebbins elected chairman, 1
Notice to Common Council of organization, 1
Mondays, 4 P.M., assigned for regular meetings, 1
ORGANIZATION AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF COMMON
COUNCIL.
Called to order by senior member, Benjamin Pope, 1
Credentials of members received, and quorum roported, 1
Notice to Mayor and Aldermen, of quorum present, 1
Benjamin Pope elected President, 1
Address of President, 1
■Washington P. Gregg elected Clerk, 2
Oath of office administered to Clerk by City Solicitor, 2
Notice to Board of Aldermen of organization, 2
Thursday evenings, half-past 7, assigned for regular meetings, 2
ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF
ALDERMEN AND COMMON COUNCIL.
[Preceding the figures indicating page, a signifies Aldermen, c
Common Council.]
Appropriations —
Annual — see heading Auditor of Accounts, item Estimates
$9,000 additional for sewers, a 20, 28, c 45
$359.17 for Quarantine Department, c 45, a 53
$25,000 for Back Bay Park, c 46, a 54, c 75
$16,000 for land, Back Bay Park, c 64, a 85
$44,325 for school instructors, c 105, 120, 156, a 168
$7,125 for salaries of officers of School Committee, c 105, 120, 156,
a 168
Unexpended balances, order referred, c 125, a 126: report, c
775, a 780
Balances of special appropriations, order of inquiry, c 315 ;
report, c 456
$2,000 for " Park Nursery, Austin Farm " — see Public Parks
$3,700 for registration of voters and election expenses, a 604, c
$4,000 for fitting up May hew Schoolhouse, a 601, c 612
$2,000 for Collector's Department, a 638, c 663, 067
$4,000 for Northampton-street District, a 675, c 684
$1,800 for Law Department, a 675, c 684
$15,000 for Sewer Department, a 712, c 773
$59,271.90 for laying out East Chester Park, c 773, 776
Armories — see Militia
Assessors —
Classification of voters, c 35; referred, o 93, a 96; report, a
169, c 172 *
Appointment of second assistants by principal assessors,
expediency referred, a 38, c 42, 62, a 68 ; report, c 89, a 95
Abolishing Second Assistant Assessors, a 10, c 12, a 38, c 42 89
Auditor of Accounts —
Monthly Exhibits, Jan., 4; Feb., 45; March, 105; April, 183;
May, 290, June, 357; July, 446; Aug., 490; Sept., 513;
Oct., 565; Nov., 604; Dec, 667
Estimates for 1878-79, referred, c 98, a 109 ; report, c 132, 157 ;
orders passed, c 172, 188, a 195
Authorized to make closing transfers, c 105, 156, a 168
Order to print annnal report, a 290, c 291
Statement of Leases of City Property, a 304
Annual report, c. 414, a 427
Payment of $4 to Mrs. Harrington, a 485
Badges —
Order indefinitely postponed, c 6
Baggage —
Unclaimed, Boston & Albany Railroad, a 425
Ballast Lighters —
Quarterly report, a 10, 168, 427, 556
Barnard, Ward 24 — remarks :
Finance Committee, 6
Joint rules and orders, 14
Second Assistant Assessors, 42
Accounts of Water Board, 74
Sale and purchase of ferry boats, 87
Police Belts, 91
Public Baths, 105
Management of public grounds, 108
Superintendents of Bridges, 153
Appropriation Bill, 162
School-house, Allston District, 182
Requiring employes to be residents, 261
Chain-cable factory, 296
Additional water appropriation, 298
Fourth of July, 313
Premiums on loans, 317
Decoration Day, 329
Fourth of July, 335
Music on Common, 376, 476
South Boston Branch Library, 393
Painting office of Sup't Common, 523
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 577
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 614
Dissection of dead bodies. 618
Voting precincts in Wards 23, 24, and 25, 620
Annual dinner, 747
Barry, Ward 22 — remarks : —
Finance Committee, 6
Joint rules and orders, 13, 14
Classification of voters, 35
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 61
Police Commission, 64, 80, 331
Work on Back Bay Park, 93, 123, 166
Salaries of employes of public institutions, 107
Management of public grounds, 119, 122
Police Belts, 122
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 142
Loan for Park purposes, 139
Manufacture of chain cables, 155, 212
Harbor Master, 157
Appropriation Bill, 160
School-house, Allston District, 182
[Errata, 182]
Employes on public grounds, 217, 222, 226
Additional Water Supply appropriations, 225, 280
Employes on New Park, 226
Personal explanation, 247, 248
Duty of Fire Commissioners, 285
Special election in Ward 10, 300
Alterations of the records, 302, 311
Horatio Harris estate for park, 311
Director of East Boston Ferries, 313
South Boston Branch Library, 393
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 396
Police Commissioners, 408, 455, 457
Ball ground on Common, 444
Premium on loans, 443
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 544, 693
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, 773
Pensioned policemen, 775
Plants for Public Grounds, 777
Bonds of city officers —
Supt. of Printing, a 85
Sealer of Weights and Measures, a 208
Harbor Master, a 398
Auditor of Accounts, a 604
Collector of Taxes, 604
Report of Committee to examine, a 758
Boston, Revere Beach, and Lynn Railroad —
William Evans, damage assessed, a 128
IV
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Brawley, Ward 19 — remarks :
Joint rules and orders, 14
Free soup, 24
Public Baths, 35
Classification of voters, 36
Contracts involving employment of labor, 44
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 60
Accounts of Water Board, 74
Police Commission, 70, 330
Work on Back Hay Park, 93, 124
Management of public grounds, 108, 120, 219
Appropriation for public instruction, 121
Manufacture of chain cabled, 156, 181
Appropriation Bill, 101
Army and Navy Memorial, 166, 174
Fire Commissioner, 172
[Errata, 162]
1 W;
297
Additional Water Supply appropriations, 187, 224,220, 201, 277,
Employes on public grounds, 222
Requiring employes to be residents, 239, 260
trustee of City Hospital, 277,309
Alterations of the records. 302, 311
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 309, 351, 370
Premiums on loans, 316
Visit to Sudbury river, 309, 379
Police Commissioners, 410, 457, 470
Playgrounds, 412
Duties of Commissioners, 441
Fourth of July regatta, 468
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 544
Liquor Li< snses, 662
Committee on Police Dep't, 577
Public Institutions, investigation, 580
Free sale of lager beer and eider, 596
Water Supply for Bast Boston, 019
Voting precincts in Wards 28, 24. and 25, 019, 685
Street Commissioners, ''.:;o, 074
Stony Brook.
Transfer of Insane, 744, 771
Annual dinner, 740
Director for Public Institutions, 706
Bridges —
Keports of Superintendents, a 10
Annual Repi it of Commissioner, a 18
Mystic Valley Railroad, a 21
Cambridge Bridges, order passed to petition, a 71, c 73
Cambridge St., Bri| 00 for repairs a, 97
Maiden, #1,000 for repairs, a 97 ; closed, a 251
Mt. Washington-ave. Bridge, closed for repairs, a 197
Bhavrmut 300 for repairs, a 262
Assessments for displacement of tide- water, referred, a 272
Broadway, $11,000 for repairs, a 34:S
Dart. 576,000 for rebuilding, a 305 ; agreements
with Boston and Providence and Boston and Albany It. 11.
Co.'s authorized, a 182, c 510, 512 ; a 617, 548
Berkeley - r repairs, a 482
Newton' street, $3,400 for repairs, a 402
Broadway, closed for repairs, a 491
\\ est Chester Tark, repairs, a 531, 548
Essex street, $4,5110 for repairs, and closed, 593
Con olosed for examination, a 682
Warren Bridge, lease to bonis Poletti, a 082, o 684
Albany - ' • fill Boxbury Canal, a 723, a 728
East (luster Park, order authorizing construction, a 758, C
772, 776
Brintnall, Ward 5 — remarks :
Nuisance town, 30
Police Belts, 91. 122
Pay of laborers, 91
Chain-cable Factory at House of Correction, 181, 293
Removal of House of Correction, 248
Proposed purchase of Bong Island, 310
Salaries of I olice Commissioners, 370
Police s, 408
ion, 422
Boxbury Canal, 440, 453
Playgrounds, 442
Summer concerts, 473
Liqu. . 502
East Chester Park, 630
Lease of finding un Warren-st. Bridge, 684
Repeal of cle -nets, 695, 747
Bromley, Ward 19— remarks:
Pensioned policemen, 74S
Brown, Ward 23 — remark
Stony Brook, 125, 003, 067, 687
Appropriation Bill, 104
Interest to be charged upon tax, 190
Seventeenth of June, 308
Ungraded streets, 369
Music on Common, 377
Bight of visit to Public Institutions, 542
Voting precincts, Wards 23, 24, and 25, 635
Street Commissioners, 672
Transfer of Insane, 738, 767
Buildings — see also Public Buildings.
Annual report of Inspector, c 88
Building Limits, ordinance to amend, a 147, 108, c 172
Leave to move wooden buildings discussed, a 229
Permits authorized during vacation, a 428, c 432
Semi-annual report of Inspector, a 405
Burke, Ward 2 — remarks :
Badges, 7
Second Assistant Assessors, 42
Contracts involving employment of labor, 42, 329
Police Commission, 57, 75, 329
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 61, 186
Sale and purchase of ferry-boats, S7
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 103, 140, 176
Public Baths, 106
Salaries of employes in public institutions, 107
Management of public grounds, 108, 218
Harbor Master, 156, 228
Appropriation Bill, 101
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 210, 296
Director of Bast Boston Ferries, 291, 312
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 308, 372, 457
Premiums on loans, 316
Fourth Of July, 886
Proposed \i-it to Sudbury river, 352
Harbor Police,
Polico Commissioners, 408, 407
Boxbury Canal, 452
Fourth of July regatta, 458
Summer concerts, 476
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 614
East Chester Park,
Street Commissioners, 037
Boston Ferries, legal fees, G64
Public Institutions, investigation, 094
Non-resident employes. 705,745
Transfer of the Insane, 772
Cambridge Railroad —
Hearing on running to Summer St., a 47 ; report, 128, 149
Cannon, Ward 7 — remarks :
Police Belts, 122
Cemeteries —
Cedar drove, annual report, a 304, 326
Mt. Hope, annual report, a 361
authorizing purchase of land referred, a295, c 277; author-
ized, c 450, a 460
Pbipps-strcet burying-ground, petition referred to Board of
Health, a 462, c 407; report, referred to Committee on
Sewers, a 487; report, a 526
City Clerk —
Quarterly report, a 53, 274, 490, 601
City Council —
Terms of office and salaries, c 15, 91
Expediency of regulating carriage-hire referred, c 16, a 17
Official report of proceedings authorized, e 816, a 338
Alterations of the records, order indefinitely postponed, c 302 ;
reconsidered and referred, e 312, a 318 ; report, 443, a 440
City Documents —
To be sent to members City Council as issued, c 6, a 8
Index to documents on files, c 5, a 8
City Employes — see City laborers
City Engineer —
Authorized to purchase supplies, etc., a 20, c 31
Annual report, a 09
Visit to Europe extended, a 21, c 22
City Hospital —
Annual report of Trustees, a 529 [c 595
Reimbursement from State, for care of poor, referred, a 590,
City laborers —
Petition for hearing referred, a 10
Residence of employes referred, c 25, a 20 ; report, c 105 ; ordi-
nance rejected, 239: reconsideration, c 260, a 273, c 667,
690,708, 710,744, 750, 754, a 759
Expediency of repealing ordinance referred, a 39, c 42 ; report,
c 220 : recommitted, order for retention of money referred,
a 227, c 238 ; report, a 275, c 277
Petition for aid by laborers, referred, c 45
Paying semi-monthly referred, c 91, a 95 ; report, c 182, a 183
Expediency of providing work for poor citizens referred, c 6;
report, order referred and order passed, c 34, a 37
Claims of West Boxbury laborers — sec Claims.
Method of employing labor — sec Common.
Improved Sewerage, non-residents, c 815, a 320, 345, c 351, a
307, 429
Wages of 6treet laborers, order referred, c 619
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, a 047, c 663, 664
Pay of laborers before Christmas, c 695, a 696
City Messenger —
$48.15 for extra service, a 759, c 765
City officers (elected or appointed) —
City Clerk, 3
Mayor's Clerk, a 10, 425
Assistant City Clerk, a 1
Trustees Mt. Hope Cemeterv, a 17, c 22, a 198, c 238, a 251
Trustees City Hospital, a 1/, c 22, a 198, c 238, a 251, c 258,
a 273, c 277, a 287, c 291, a 303, 307, c 309, 310, a 320, c 828,
a 338, 363, c 369, 407, a 427
Directors Public Institutions, a 17, c 22, a 203, c 238, 248, 249,
259, a 273, c 277, a 287, 307, 345, o 453, 749, a 764, c. 766
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITT COUNCIL.
Directors East Boston Ferries, a 17, c 22, a 128, c 135, a 146,
c 152, a 168, c 172, a 183, c 187, a 194, c 210, a 227, c 238, a 251,
a 290, c 291, 302, a 303, c 310, a 320, c 329, a 338, c 351, 389,
a 398
Trustees Public Library, a 17, c 22, a 127, c 135, 246, a 251, c 258
Weighers of Coal, a 17, 37, 67, 81, 126, 145, 167. 183, 194, 272,
287, 397, 460, 479, 490, 621
City Messenger, a 3S, c 44
Superintendent Public Buildings, a 38, c 44
Assessors, a 38, c 44
Superintendent of Streets, a 55, c 57
City Engineer, a 37, c 44 |
Superintendent Public Lands, a 38,"c 44
Superintendent Sewers, a 38, c 44
City Solicitor, a 37, c 44
Clerk of Committees, a 37, c 44
Superintendent Public Grounds, a 58. c 74, a 114, 130, c 135,
a 146
Water Registrar, a 38, c 44
City Surveyor, a 37, c 44
Overseers of Poor, a 85, c 87, a 184, c 187, a 568, 575, 038, 663
Measurers of Grain, a 47
Undertakers, a 17, 67, 81, 227, 303, 525
Supt. of Wagons, a 47
Supt. of Hacks and Carriages, a 47
Supt. of Intelligence Offices, a 47
Supt. of Pawnbrokers, a 47
Supt. of. Faneuil Hall Market, a 47
Inspectors of Provisions, a 67, 95, 97
Supt. of Faneuil Hall, a 67, 97
Supt. of Printing, a 67, c 73
Supts. of Bridges, a 85, c 122, a 127, c 137, 152
City Registrar, a 37, c 44
Commissioner Cedar Grove Cemetery, a 37, c 44
City Architect, a 38, c 44
First Assistant Assessors, a 69, c 74, 91
Inspector of Milk, a 47
Registrar of Voters, a 47
Superintendent of Lamps, a 37
Commissioner of Bridges, a 97, c 104, a 109
Second Assistant Assessors, a 95, c 104, a 110, c 116. a 127, c 135,
246, a 251, c 258
Measurers of Wood and Bark, a 109, 145, 167, 490, 528
Weighers and Inspectors of Bundle Hay, a 109, 126, 490
Surveyors of Marble, a 109
Inspectors of Petroleum and Coal Oil, a 109, 126
Superintendents of Hay Scales, a 109, 126
Member of Board of Health, a 145, 152
Ere Commissioner, a 144, c 152, a 167, 168, c 172
Measurers of Upper Leather, a 167
Public AVeighers, 167, 183, 250, 287, 380, 397, 564, 750
Assistant Clerk of Committees, a 168, c 172
Assistant City Messengers, a 168, c 172
Member of Boston Water Board, a 167, 186, 250, 254, c 258, 282
Pence Viewers, a 169, c 172
Field Drivers and Pound Keepers, a 169, c 172, a 208, c 213,
a 398, c 407, a 488, c 520
Inspector of Lime, a 169, c 172, a 485
Culler of Hoops and Staves, a 169, c 172
Park Commissioner, a 183, c 187
Sealers of Weights and Measures, a 183
Inspectors of Lighters, a 194, c 210
Superintendent Licenses, a 205
Truant Officers, a 205
Sinking Fund Commissioner, a 261, c 258
Inspectors of Elections, a 303
City Treasurer, a 342, c 370
Auditor of Accounts, a 342, c 370
Collector of Taxes, a 363, c 389
Police Commissioners, a 380, a 405, c 408
Harbor Master, a 380
Precinct officers — see Elections
Officer to take charge of neglected children, a 582
Street Commissioner, a 753, c 765
City Physician —
Leave of Absence, a 713, c 737
City Registrar —
Annual report, c 45, a 338
Permits for burials, orders referred, a 237, e 238
City Scales —
Quarterly report North Scales, a 10, 273, 500
City Solicitor — see Law Department
City Supplies —
Purchases, orders referred, c 192, a 194 ; report, c 226 ; ordinance
passed, a 250
City Surveyor —
Annual report, a 28
Authorized to purchase supplies, etc., a 20, c 3
Claims —
Payments of executions or judgments of courts authorized, a 11 ,
c XA
Payment of sundry bills authorized : —
$8.50, P. II. Rogers, c 34, 45, a 53
.¥2.30, Hall & Whipple, c 89, 104, a 109
$115.88, Heliotype Printing Co., c 89. 104, a 109
$00, F. L. Gilman & Co., c 89, 104, a 109
$34.50 George J. Coyle, c 89, 104, a 109
$143.88, H. A. Winship, a 185, 203, c 238
$2,132.27, to Mary W. Wyman — see Public Buildings.
$9.30 to Hall fc Whipple, a 518, c 523
$4.00 to Mrs. Harrington, c 523
$48 to Abina Gilmartin, a 731, c 744
Francis-st. schoolhouse, $1,626 to S. H. Tarbell, a 730, c 773,
776
Back pay for deputy collectors, report, c 596 ; order passed, c
612, 619, a 621, 645, c 695, a 696
West Roxbury laborers, a 130, 186, c 187, 301, 311, a 319. c 329.
352, a 357
Clapp, Ward 14 — remarks :
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 144
Coe, Ward 23 — remarks :
Joint rules and orders, 13
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 103, 142
Appropriation for public instruction, 121
Work on Back Bay Park, 124, 166
Superintendents of Bridges, 137, 153
Appropriation Bill, 160
Roxbury Canal, 164
Additional Water Supply appropriation, 225
Requiring employes to be residents, 245
Claims of West Roxbury laborers, 302, 353
Alterations of the Records. 302
Proposed purchase of Long Island, 310
Sewer and sidewalk assessments, 314
Premiums on loans, 317
Police Commission, 329, 375
Summer vacation, 422
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 457
New Court-House, 540
Brighton Grammar school-house, 538
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 576
Committee on Police Dep't, 577
Voting precincts in Wards 23, 24, and 25, 619. 635
East Chester Park, 631
Lease of building on Warren-st. Bridge, 684
Stony Brook, 688
Non-resident employes, 710
Annual dinner, 746
Pensioned policemen, 774
Colby, Ward 18 — remarks:
Police Commission, 59
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 136
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 142, 175
Chain-cable factory at House Correction, 212
Requiring employes to be residents, 244
Director of East Boston Ferries, 312
Huntington avenue, 328
Claims of West Roxbury laborers, 352
South Boston Branch Library, 392
Powers of Police Commissioners, 468
Stony Brook, 663, 674, 686
Non-resident employes, 7.08
Collector's Department —
Extra clerk-hire authorized, c 25, 31, a 87
Annual report of Collector, referred, c 300, a 303 ; report, c
378, a 384
Additional clerk in office of Water Registrar, c 302, 311. a 319
$2,000 additional appropriation, a 604, c 612, a 622, 638, c 663,
667
Back pay for Deputy Collectors — see Claims.
$400 to clerks, for extra services, c 703, a 711
$20 for posting estates, c 703, a 711
Committees —
Order for appointment of Joint Special Committees to nominate
candidates for city offices, c 7, a 8
Committee on Finance elected, c 12 ; organized, c 23
Committee on Accounts elected, a 1, c 5 ; organized, a 10
Standing Committee on Elections, c 2
Joint Standing Committees, c 7, a 8, c 16, a 55, c 191, 258, a 336
c 5econsideration, c 312 ; report, c 455, 467, a 483
Annual report, a 321
Petition for reduction of toll, referred, a 326; report, 641;
passed, 648
Custody of Eastern-avenue wharf, a 324, 325, 336, 343, 344, 462
Ferry Boat " General Grant," c 395
Free on Fourth of July, a 402, c 407
Investigation, petition referred, a 342, c 351 ; report, a 604, c 612
Order for payment of S550 for legal services, referred, a 534 ;
non-concurrence, c 538 ; reconsideration, assigned, c 662
referred, c 575 : report, order passed, a 641 ; rejected, C 664
reconsidered, passed, c 684
.-ire Department —
Report of fires and alarms for Dec.,c. 4 ; Jan., a 53 ; Feb., a 110;
March, a 183 : April, c 284 : May, a 357 ; June, 446; July,
490 : Aug., 513; Sept., 56S: Oct., 604 : Nov., 675
$300 to Charles Brooks, a 17, c 37
Fire Boat — rations to crew, referred, c 6 ; substitute order
passed, a 8, c 12 ; report, referred, c 31, a 37, 40 ; report, c
247 a 251
$200 to Charles Furlong, c 107, a 109, c 165, a 168, 186 ; indefi-
nitely postponed, a 203
Explosive Compounds, order to report ordinance, a 129, c 135 ;
_ report, a 289 ; passed, a 303, c 309
Uniform for Fire Commissioners, report, c 165 a 168
Vacations, order referred, c 193, a 194 ; report, c 247, a 251
Request to investigate cause of fire in German Catholic. School
building, c 248, a 251 : report, 530
Duty of Fire Commissioners, order of inquiry indefinitely post-
poned, c 285
Telegraph in Brighton authorized, a 289
Annual report, 486
Fitchburg Railroad —
Connection with Union Freight Railroad, a 429, 485
Flynn, Ward 16 — remarks :
Joint rules and orders, 12
Police commission, 80
Management of public grounds, 108, 120, 21S
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 136
Superintendent of Bridges, 137, 154
Alterations of the Records, 311
Fourth of July, 335
Claims of West Roxbury laborers, 353
Police Commissioners, 413
Ballground on Common, 444
Proposed contract for plants, 766, 776
Fourth of July —
Order offered, c 123, 313
Mayor authorized to invite Orator, a 290, c 292
Committee appointed, §10,000 appropriated, c 335, a 338
Closing streets, a 429
Thanks to Orator, c 444, a 446
Regatta, cause of accident, Union Boat Club House, c 458
Rowing Regatta, obstructions, c 444, a 446
F'unds — see also Sinking Funds —
Franklin Fund —examination of accounts, a 29, 38
Edwin W. Beal, petition referred, a 303; report, 325, 363
Charles H. Campbell, referred, a 39S ; report, 486
G.A.R. — Decoration Day, request of Post 113, referred, c 122]
Invitation for Decoration Day, accepted, a 146, c 152
S200 to each Post Decoration Day , c 166, 174, a 183, 208, c 213, 262
Decoration Day, order passed, a 306, c 30S ; half holiday to em-
ployes, c 315, 317, a 319, c 328, 329
Gas —
Report on price, a 110
Guild, Alderman — remarks :
Back Bay Park, 37, 95, 110, 361, 401, 406, 514
Police Commission, 33, 50
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 39
Cession of Charles-river flats, 55, 67
Placing public grounds in care of Park Commission, S4
Loan for improving park, 112
Election of Superintendent of Common, 114
Claims of AVest Roxbury laborers, 130, 357
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 145
Report on care of poor, 148
Burning street lamps in night-time, 149
Street obstructions, enforcing ordinances, 167
Bill of II. A. Winship, 186
Appropriation Dill, 196
Special election in Ward 10, 19S
Supplies for Common, etc., 202
Employes on public grounds, 202, 205
Decoration Day, 208
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 227
Personal explanation, 236
Removal of fruit-stands, 252
Temporary building on Common, 253
Member of Boston Water Board, 256
Harbor Master, 289
Death of Alderman Perkins, 276
Explosive Compounds, 303
Vacancy in Board of Directors for Ferries, 305
Special election for alderman , 319
Laborers on Improved Sewerage, 345
Salaries of Police Commissions! • . 318
Foot-bridge at D street over O.C.K.R., 364
Mass. College of Pharmacy, 385
Dartmouth-street square, 386
Taking birds for scientific purposes, 400
Statue of Charles Sumner, 129, 489
Prison Point Flats, 460
Public Lands, 461
C. M. Dakin's Victualler's License, 466
Sewer and sidewalk assessments, 446
Public Park Nursery at Austin Farm, 483
Towers of Police Commission, 4 S '4
Indexes in Registry of Deeds, 4^7
Conditions in deeds. 489
VIII
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Publir Library report, 490
Highland Railway, temporary tracks, 517
Licenses, 505
Naming Murray place, 531
Government bonds as security, 533
New Court-House, 535, 719, 735
1'ay for fowls killed, 548
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 564
Precinct officers, 566
Term of Superintendent of Common, 549
Use of Mayhew School-house for homeless wanderers, 602
Plants for Public Grounds, 042
Commercial-street widening, i>54
Coasting on Webster street, 683
Obstruction of streets, 698
Free use of Faneiiil Hall, 715
Extra pay for policemen, 710
Reduction of Market Rents, 717
Notifications of Elections by Constables, 750
Statue of Charles Sumner, 757
Salaried officers to be residents, 750, 755, 789
Thanks to Chairman, 7-1
Kate of fare for Old South Ball, a 85
Harbor —
Annual report of Harbor Master, a 19
Consolidation of steam facilities, referred, c 26, a 20:
a 55 ; order passed, s 67, e 73, 104, a 109, c 122, a 186 ; re-
jected, c 156, 181, a 898, c 407
Resolve tor substituting row-boats for police, c 126,890, a 698
Acceptance Of Act relating to Harbor Master, o 222, 226, a 228
Harbor Master and harbor police, ordinance referred, 8 229
c 238 ; report, a 239 ; passed, a 320, 828, 362
Harris, Alderman — remarks :
Refreshments and carriage-hire, 17, 27
Police Commission, 60
Cession of Charles-river fiats, 55
Hereford street extension, 69
Cambridge bridges, 71
Sale of ferry-boat, s3
East Boston Kerry Avenues, 109, 325
Labor at public institutions, 111, 151
Loan for Improving parks, 118
Election of Superintendent of Common, 114
Report on care of poor, 148
Burning street lamps in night-time, 14')
Telegraph poles in Brighton, 149
Tablet on Christ Church, 151
Building limits, 168
Storage of paving materials, 167
Repair-shop for ferries, 194
Paj Of lamplighters. 201
Supplies for Common, etc., 202
Employee on public grounds, 203, 206
Payment of Mr Winship's bill, 203
Special election in Ward 10, 198
Improved Sewerage construction, 208, 532
Decoration Pn\ , 206
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 22>
Salary Bill, 281
Mercantile Wharf Market, 235
Abatement of taxes. 228
Leave to move wooden buildings, 229
Sprinkling streets, 230
Removal of House of Correction, 261
Temporary building on Common, 253
Public Library , 267
Removal of obstructions from Public streets, 273
Heath of Alderman Perkins, 270
Explosive Compounds, 808
Director of East Boston Jerries, 306
Unsafe Public Buildings, 307
Special election tor alderman, 319
Abating betterment assessments, 326
Ousted) Ol l-.a.-iein-avenue wharf, 336, 344
Swett street, 313
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 347
New Boiler-house at Jail, 350
Back Bay Park, 362, 406, 515
Foot-bridge at 1) street over O.C.R.R., 363, 384
Bridge over R.R. at Dartmouth street, 365
Paving Sudbury street, 364
Vacation Schools. 886
Mass. College of Pharmacy, 385
Old State Prison for House of Correction, 385
Paving Frothingham avenue, Charlestown, 387
Huntington avenue, 398
Railroad tracks on Causeway street, 399
Taking of birds for scientific purposes, 400
Roxbury Canal, 404
New building for Police Station Six, 406
Eitchburg R.R. connection with Union Freight R.R., 429
Sewer and sidewalk assessments, 446
South Boston Branch Library, 483
$2,000 transfer for Austin Farm, a 483
Indexes in Registry of Deeds, 486
Phipps-street burying-ground, 487
Conditions in deeds, 489
Public Library report, 490
Columbus avenue horse-car controversy, 498
Licenses, 505
Meridian street bridge, 505
Regulation of horse-car travel, 509, 043, 732, 750
Settlement of abatements, 514
Taking possession of lands, 514
New Court House, 518, 534, 643, 785
Polling-places, 526
Cazenove place, 631
Repairing bridges on Westchester Park, 531
Sudbury-river conduit, 548
Pay for fowls killed, 548
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 564
Prison Point Flats, 566
Government bonds as security, 533
Land near Police Station Eight, 568
Commercial-street widening, 569, 602, 624, 640, 655
Polling-place for Precinct Four, Ward Bight, 570
Paving Warren street, Charlestown, 671
Adams street, macadamising, 572
Reimbursement for care of poor in City Hospital, 590
Use of Mayhew School-house for homeles- wanderers, 592, 601
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 621,646
Extension of East Chester Park, 024, 711
Fast Boston Ferries, claim for legal services, 641
Plants for Public Grounds, 642
New Court House, 043
Laving out A street, 038, 6S2
Fast Boston Ferries, reduction of toll, 048
Highland R. It. tracks in Haymarket square, 662
Protection of Lake Coohitttate, 653
Northampton-street District, 055
Purchase of gravel bank at Watertown, 681, 701
Cancelling bonds on Public Lands, 650
Coasting on Webster street, 682
Obstruction of streets, ;
Popular loans, 096
Kneeland-street obstruction, 725
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 727
Investigation of Public Institutions, 711
Improved sewerage, and Fast Chester Park, 728
Notifications of Elections by Constables, 750
Salaried officers to be residents, 751, 702
Services of .lames Dennic, 767
So. Boston U. It. over Dover-street Bridge, 757;
East. Chester Park bridge, 758
Board of Public Works, 704
Thanks to Chairman, 781
Hayden, Alderman — remarks :
" EglestOD Square School-house lot, 186
Pay to a disabled fireman, 186
Printing Auditor's Annual Report, 290
Vacation Schools, 385
Use of May hew School-house for homeless wanderers, 592, 601
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 72>
New Court House, 788
Salaried officers to be residents, 750, 755, 762
Health, Board of —
$300 transfer, c 22, a 26', c 33
Mill Pond flats, reports, c 45; order to report cost, 46, a 53 ;
report, order passed, 63, a 68; order to owners, referred,
a 307, o 308 ; report, a 448, 449, c 451, 454, 458, a 461, c 467,
a 527,528,560, 764
Lying-in Hospital, applications granted, a 228, 752
Request for authority to erect urinals, a 425; report, a 498;
order passed, a 5n0, o 628
Nuisance at South End, petition referred, a 429 ; report, a 446
Annual report, a 485
Communication relating to condition of Ward street, Ward 22,
referred, a 513 : report. 574
Abatement ofnulsanoe assessments, a 570, 693
North Grove-street Morgue, communication referred, a 622,
JS : order passed, a 758, c 772
Health Department —
Superintendent authorized to purchase horses, supplies, etc.,
c 14, 22,* 20
Disposition of street-sweepings and ashes, c 444, a 446
City stables in Charlestown, a 625, c 628
House Offal, reduction in price, a 752, c 765
Hibbard, Ward 17 — remarks :
Finance Committee,
Joint rules and orders, 15
Vegetable market, 73
Official terms of members of city government, 91
Appropriation for public instruction, 121
Appropriation Bill, 160, 173
South Boston Branch Library, 192
Loam for public grounds, 247
Trustee of City Hospital, 268, 407
Additional Water Appropriation, 299
Alterations of the Records, 302
Proposed visit to Sudbury river, 352, 369, 379
Ungraded streets, 369
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 375
Music on Common, 376
South Boston Branch Library, 391
Sale of Ferry Boat " General Grant," 395
JNDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
IX
Playgrounds, ill
Ballground on CommoD, 444
Director for Public Institutions, 454
Powers of Police Commissioners, 472
Painting office of Superintendent of Common, 522
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 576, 665
Public Institutions, investigation, 580
Non-resident employes, 709
Plants for Public Grounds, 776
Highland Street Railway Co. —
Order to restrict cars on Columbus avenue and Tremont street,
129, 145
Memorial referred, 250
Petition for tracks on Pack Bay, 318
Hearing on running to northern depots ; 381, 425 ; report,
leave to withdraw, accepted, 492
Hearing on Columbus-avenue tracks, 479; report, etc., see
Metropolitan K It. Co.
Temporary tracks on Tennyson street, authorized, 517
Regulation of horse-car travel, report, see Metropolitan lt.lt.
Co. ; also 722, 731, 737
Petition for extension of route to Haymarket square, referred,
554 ; resolve passed, 645 ; order passed. 652, 769
Location in Haymarket square accepted, 675
Hill, Ward 14 — remarks :
Badges, 6
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 178, 210, 286, 295
South Boston Branch Library, 192, 391, 477
Trustee of City Hospital, 258
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 395
Police Station Six, 407
Personal explanation, 477
A street, 628
Pensioned policemen, 775
Historic sites —
Tablet on Christ Church, a 151, c 154
History of Koxbury — see Printing
Howland, Ward 5 — remarks :
Superintendent of Bridges, 137, 153
Powers of Police Commissioners, 475
Improved Sewerage —
Joint Special Committee to resume charge, c 3
Old Harbor Point, order to take land, a 29, 37, c 42
$14,775, expenditure authorized, a 85, c 104
Construction by days' labor authorized, a 208, c 222, 226
Ncn-resident employes — see City Laborers.
Contractor on Improved Sewerage, proposed investigation,
c 379, 703
Taking lands, c 377, a 386, c 389, a 447, c 451, a 460, c 612, a 648,
c 663, 684
Roxbury Canal — see heading " Roxbury Canal."
$341,000 loan — see Loans.
Order of notice of intention to take land, a 510, c 510 ; taking
lands on Clapp street, a 532, c 538
United States, Massachusetts, or City of Boston Bonds, as
security, authorized, a 533, c 538
Committee authorized to modify or abrogate contracts, a 510,
c 510
East Chester Park — See streets
Charging $22,957.25 to widening streets, a 723, 728
Storm overflow into Roxbury canal, see Legislative matters.
Inspector of Lime —
Order for appointment, laid on table, c 524 ; indefinitely post-
poned, 703
Jury List — see County of Suffolk
Kelley, Ward 6 — remarks:
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 60
Pensioned policemen, 748
Kendricken, Ward 20 — remarks :
Loam for public grounds, 247
Roxbury canal, 440
East Chester Park, 630
Kidney, Ward 6 — remarks :
Voting precincts, Wards 23, 24 and 25, 635
Lamp Department —
Annual report of Superintendent, a 9
Supt. authorized to purchase supplies, etc., and employ men, a 29
Reduction of time of burning, referred, a 11 : report, 128, 149
Pay of lamplighters, a 201, 205
Land enclosed —
Notice from Trustees of African Methodist Episcopal Society ,
500
Lauten, Ward 14 — remarks :
Accounts of Water Board, 74
Police belts, 122
Appropriation Bill, 172
Chain-cable factory, 190
Trustee of City Hospital, 309
Police Commissioners, 412
Playgrounds, 441
West Fourth street widening, 675
Free sale of lager beer and cider, 695
A street, 628
Stony Brook, 674
Non-resident employes, 705
Transfer of the Insane, 767
Law Department —
Semi-annual report of City Solicitor, a 427
Request for three additional clerks, a 621, c 628, a 653, c 663
a 675, c 684
Proposed ordinance relating to fees, referred, c 636, a 638
Employment of legal counsel, order passed to report ordinance,
c 695, a 696; report, ordinance passed, c 775, a 780
Legislative matters —
Uncollectable taxes, referred, a 11, c 12; report, order passed
a 28, e 30
Nuisance in Charlestown, a 29; referred, c 30, a 37
Masked Balls, a 38
Police Commission, a 38, c 75
Salaries of County officers— see County of Suffolk
Cession of Charles-river flats — see Public Parks
Loan for improving parks — see Public Parks
Taxing auction sales, order passed, a 148
Tax titles, expediency of petitioning for repeal referred, c 182,
a 183 ; report, order passed, a 713 ; c 737
Statutes relating to registration and elections, and collection of
taxes — see Taxes ; also Printing.
Victualler's licenses and sale of beer and cider — see Licenses
State aid, regulation of payment by city, a 714, c 737
Authorizing payment of $57.15 to .Joanna Wells, a 753, c 765
Storm overflow into Roxbury Canal, a 723, 728, 755, c 765
License Commissioners —
Annual report, c 214
Licenses —
Sale of old pipe, report, c 165, a 168
Sunday amusements, order passed to restrict, a 251
lnnholders' and Victuallers' Licenses, order passed, a 289
Legality of licenses by commissioners, request referred, a 343
Summer garden at West Roxbury, a 427, 448, 450, 461
C. M. Dakin's Victualler's License, 466
Victualler's licenses, and sale of beer and cider, orders to
petition, a 549, 556 ; c 561, 577, 581 ; rejected, c 595
Fee for liquor license refunded, a 559, c 561, c 581
Liquor seizures, order of inquiry referred, c 562
Order to refund license fee paid by Thomas Hartnett, referred,
c 563, 564 ; report, c 597
Lighters — see Ballast Lighters
Loans —
Expediency of popular loan, referred, c 25, a 26 ; report, c 690,
a 696
$600,000 for new supply of water — see Water
Disposition of Premiums, expediency of ordinance referred, c
302, a 303, c 316 ; report, c 443, a 446
$1,500,000 in anticipation of taxes, a 361, 384, c 414
$341,000 for Roxbury Canal Improvement, c 453, 458, a 460
Lynn and Boston Railroad —
Hearing on running to Temple place, a 66 ; report, 128, 149
Markets —
Superintendent authorized to employ deputy, a 70
Vegetable market, expediency of purchase referred, a 70, c 73 ;
report, a 185, 235, c 238 ; discharge of mortgage authorized,
a 641
Rents reduced, a 717
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Association —
Petition referred, a 55,c57; report, orders passed, a 96; dis-
cussed, 103; request of City Solicitor's opinion, c 104,
a 109 ; report, orders passed, c 140, a 145, c 152, 175, a 183,
a 275
Petition from Manager of Siege of Paris Exhibition, a 621 ;
petition for removal of Exhibition building, order passed,
a 640
Mayor —
Cony of Inaugural Address requested, c 2, a 8
Disposition of topics in address, referred, c 2, a 8 ; report, and
reference of topics, c 23, a 26
Message relating to Court House — see County of Suffolk
Post office extension — see Streets
Care of Lunatics — see Public Institutions
Treatment of the Poor — see Poor
McDouald, Ward 12 — remarks :
Vegetable Market, 73
Salaries of employed of public institutions, 107
Playground on Common, 182
Chain-cable factory, 190, 296
Labor on public grounds, 220
Salary Bill, 259
Horatio Harris estate for park, 311
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 370, 456
Music on Common, 376
Roxbury Canal, 438
Ballground on Common, 444, 459
Salaries of Police force, 475
Painting office of Superintendent of Commou, 623
Drake's History of Roxbury, 698
Back foes to Deputy Collectors, 614
Dissection of dead bodies, 617
Salary of Probation officer, 690
Public Institutions, investigation, c 693
Non-resident employes, 710
Transfer of the Insane, 770
Pensioned Policemen, 774
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF (TIY COUNCIL.
McGaragle, Ward 8 — remarks:
Badge- , 6
Joint rales and orders, 13
Free soup, -4
Nuisance in Chariestown, 30
Supcriu' 'iug, 81
Public Baths, 84, 94, 105
Classification of voters, 35
Petition for aid by laborers, 45
Mill Pond Flats, 46
Police Commission, 59, 64, 76 , 330
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 62, 136
table Market, 73
Harbor Master, 73, 156
Management of public grounds, 90, 107, 117
Police Belts, 81
Pay <>f laborers, 91
Charles-river embankment, 91
Official term of members of city government, 91
8. Char. Mcch. Exhibition, 104, 141
Salaries of employes in public institutions, 107
Work on Back Bay Park, 120
Superintendents of Bridies, 137, 154
Loan for park purpose.', 140, lti4
Unsafe buildings, 152
Manufacture of chain cables, 155, 181
Appropriation Bill, 162, 172
Roxbury Canal, hU
Army and Navy Memorial, 166
Building limits, 172
IBrn
lie Library, 1«7
S. Boston Branch Library, 191, 390, 477
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 212
Decoration Day, 218
Labor on public grounds, 218
: Sewerage, 222
Employes on public grounds, 222
Additional water supply appropriations, 225, 226, 282, 297
. l!ill,260
Constables at Elections, 285
Orator for Fourth of July, 202
Ion in Ward 10, J
Proposed purchase of Long Island, 310
Director East lic.ston ferries, 312
Sei lewalk assessments, 314
Trustee City Hospital, 828, 309
Decoration Day , 320
Lag] et, \V'< si Boxbury, 351
osed visit to Sudbury river, 352, 370
ateentb of -im
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 373, 457
Music on the Common, 377, 478
Harbor Police, 300
Back Hay Park, 407
Police Commissioners, 411, 456, 458, 468
li High anl Latin School roof, 413
ding Monument Hill, 421
Summer \ acation. 422
Boxbury Canal, 437
Playgrounds, 441, 443
Duties of Commissioners, 444, 452
Ballground on Common, 444, 459
Prison Point Flats, 454
Fourth of July Regatta, 458
Salaries of 1'oiicc force. 475
Imprct cage, modifying contracts, 611
Painting office of Superintendent of Common, 522
Public urinals, 623
Fast Boston Ferries, legal fees, 538, 576
New Court-House, 640
; of visit to Public Institutions, 542
Liquor licensee I
i Police Department, 578
"Si< 591
Collectors, 013
Voting precincts in "Wards 23, 24, and 25, 620, 636
Park, 628,689
Street Commissioners, G35, 637, 673
Water Supply for East Boston, 635
Stony Brook, 668
Paj of laborers before Thanksgiving, 664
Public Institutions, investigation, 6b3
\c ii i -ii ild( nl employes 703, 740
Transfer of Insane," 739, 767
Annual dinner, 710
Pensioned D 748, 774
Police dish Ibution of documents, 749
Proposed contract, ior plants, 706, 777
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, /73
Bast Chester park bridge, 772
Thanks to the President., 777
McGeough, Ward 13 — remarks:
Management of public grounds, 117, 123
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 185, 166, 177, 190,
212,286,292
Appropriation Bill, 163
Unsafe buildings, 152
Stipts. of Bridges, 164
Special Election in Ward 10,
Seventeenth of J une
Salaries of police Commissioners 370
Music on Common. :;7 i;
Contractor on Improved Sewerage, 879
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 394
Police Commissioners, 108, 473
Grading Monument Hill, 421
Duties of Commissioners, 443, 451
Roxbury Canal, 453
Back Bay Park, 521
Brighton Grammar School-house, 538
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 541
Dissection of dead bodies, 578, 595, 617
Public Institutions, investigation, 680, 691
Street Commissioners, 616, 682, 636, 673
Salary of Piobation Officer, 028
East Boston Perries, legal fees, 065, 685
Non-resident employes, 705, 744
Proposed transfer of the Insane, ?37
Flection of Street Commissioner, 765
Transfer of the Insane, 769
(ke at Grand Junction Wharf, 773
Policemen, 775
i , Alderman — remarks :
Refreshments and carriage-hire, 18, 27
Em its on sidewalks, 20
Soup, 20
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 39
Polii c Commission, 63
Cession of Cb I er Flats, 55, 68
Harbor Master, 07, -
Hereford-street extension, 69
i Cambridge Bridges. 71
Sale of ferry-boat, B3
Placing public grounds in care of Park Commissioners, 84
Loan for improvin r parks, 112
of public, instruction, 126
Claims of West Boxbury laborers, 130 % S57
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 145
Telegraph poles in Brighton, 149
Tablet on Christ Church, 151
Building limits, 108
Bill of ii. A. Wiuship,185
Water Commissioner, 186
Pay to a disabled fireman, 186, 203
Repair shop for ferries, 194
Appi opriation Bill, 195
Pay of lamplighters, 201
Employ 6s on public grounds, 202, 207
Contrails involving employment of laborers, 228
, Bill, 231
Mercantile Wharf market, 236
Temporary building on Common, 254
Member of Boston Water Board, 254
Pollution Of Lake Cochituate, 266
Uncollected bill for iron, 257
Second-hand dealers and, pawnbrokers, 288
Director East Boston Ferries, 200, 305
Printing Auditor's Annual Report, 296
. le Public Buildings, 307
Director for Public Institutions, 307
Decoration Day, 319
Special election for alderman, 319
East Boston Ferry avenues, 325, 450, 465
Horse-car blockades, 326
tody ol Eastern-avenue wharf, 337, 344
Discontinuing Lagrange street, 343
Laborers on improved Sewerage, 346
of Police Commissioners, 848
New Boiler-house at Jail, 350
Back Baj I'm 1:, "01, 401, 406, 516
Foot-bridge at l> street, over O.C.R.R., 363,384
er U. It. at Dartmouth street, 866
idon Schools, 886
Dartmouth -street square, 386
Paving Frothingham avenue, Chariestown, 887
Public Lands, 3US, 401
Grading Huntington avenue, 898
Railroad tracks on Causeway street, 400
Taking birds for scientific purposes, 400
Free Ferries on Fourth of July, 402
Boxbury Canal, 405
Fitchburg Baihoad, connection with UnionFreight Railroad, 4301
Prison Point Hats, 440, 400
Care of Lunatics, 405
Construction of Sewers, 465
C. M. Dakin'S victualler's license, 406
vers of Police Commission, 484
Indexes in Registry of Deeds, 487
Conditions in deeds, 489
Columbus avenue horse-car controversy, 492, 499
Regulation of horse-car travel, 497, 508, 660, 606, 626, 644, 699,
732, 750
Meridian-street bridge, 506
, Settlement of abatements, 514
Highland-street Railway, temporary tracks, 617
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XI
Cazenove place, 531
Naming Murray place, 531
Government bonds as security, 533
New Court-House, 519, 534, 546, 720, 733
Sudbury-river conduit, 560, 610
Prison Point Flats, 566
Salary of Superintendent of Ferries, 547
Commercial-street, widening, 554, 569, 602, 639
Land near Police Station Eight, 569
Macadamizing Adams street, 572
Salary of Probation Officer, 625
Back pay to Deputy Collectors, 645
East Boston Ferries, claim for legal services, 641
East Boston Ferries, reduction of toll, 648
Protection of Lake Cochituate, 653
Purchase of gravel bank in Watertown, 681, 702
Coasting on Webster street, 682
Extension of A street, 682
Obstruction of streets, 696
Election returns, 698
Free use of Faneuil Hall, 715
Extra pay for Policemen , 716
Reduction of market rents, 717
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 726
Extra compensation in Collector's Department, 712
Knceland street obstructions, 725
Improved sewerage and East Chester Park, 728
Non-resident employes, 754, 763
Services of .lames Dennie, 757
Board of Public Works, 764
Metropolitan It. It. Co. —
Hearing ou tracks in Boylston and Clarendon streets, a 07
Order to restrict cars on Columbus avenue, a 129, 145
Petition for tracks on Back Bay, a 318
Change on Clarendon street authorized, a290; accepted, a 321
Location ou West Chester Park, hearing, a 397
Turnout track, Washington street, Dorchester, a 462, 485
Turnout track, Atlantic avenue, Dorchester, a 462, 485
Gars on Columbus avenue, hearing, 401, 426 ; petition from
Highland Railroad Co., referred, 429 ; hearing, 479 ; report,
order to discontinue passed, a 492, 498
Petition for removal of tracks on Harrison avenue, Dover, Al-
bany, and Kingston streets, referred, a 488
Regulation of horse-car travel, report, a 495 ; substitute order
offered, 497 ; laid on table, 509 ; order passed to obtain
opinion of City Solicitor, 509 ; special assignment, 537 ;
hearing 583 ; substitutes offered and assigned, 606 ; orders
passed relative to licensing drivers, etc., a 625, c 632 ; double
track ou Tremont street, 625, 643, 675 ; report, 722 ; orders
passed. 731: order to enforce ordinances, 732, 750; sundry-
orders indefinitely postponed, 737
Fifth location accepted, 641
Curved tracks ou Hanover street, 681
Dartmouth street location, hearing, 657 ; leave to withdraw,
752
Fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh locations accepted, 697
Removal of tracks from Harrison avenue, referred to next
Board of Aldermen, 732
Middlesex Railroad Co. —
Leave to lay tracks from car-house on Main street, Charlestown ,
399
Location accepted, 465
Regulation of horse-car travel, report — see Metropolitan R.R.
Co. ; also 722, 731
Petition relating to hearing, 509
Protest from citizens of Everett, referred, 625
Orders laid on table, 627
Six cars per hour to southern depots, 698
Three additional cars per hour through Temple place, 759, 763
No suburban cars north of Scollay square, 759, 763
Militia —
Battery A, $700 for shutters, 29
Co. A, First Bat. Inf., $1,008.57 for armory, 169
Co. H., Fifth Reg. Inf., $300 for armory, 290
Co. A, Fourth Bat. Inf., $250. fitting up armory, 324
$800, rent of armory, 324
$350, fitting up armory, Co. C, Ninth Bat. Inf., 447
Drill-hall of Mass. Inst. Technology, 447
Co. D, First Bat. Inf., $175 for closets, 487
Co. D., Fourth Bat. Inf., $450 for rent of armory, 498
$315 repairing armory, 570
Co. E., Ninth Bat. Inf., $300 for rent, 534
Permanent allowance to eachArmory for fuel and light, 623
Co. II. Fifth Reg. Inf. $22.67 ; fitting up Armory, 642
Co. E. Ninth Reg. Inf., $600 for rent, 715
Co. A. Ninth Reg. Inf., $700 for rent, 730
Milk —
Annual report of Inspector, a 170
Minors —
Board of Aldermen authorized to make rules or grant licenses,
a 11, c 12
Rules adopted, a 19
Mowry , Ward 11 — remarks :
Roxbury Canal, 5, 437, 452
Badges, 6
Free soup, 24
Nuisance in Charlestown, 30
Contracts involving employ meut| of labor, 43
Mill Pond Flats, 45, 63
Police Commission, 77, 330
Sale and purchase of ferry-boats, 87
Management of public grounds, 120
Supts. of Bridges, 137, 153
Mass. Char. Mech. Exhibition, 141, 176
Unsafe buildings, 152
Appropriation Bill, 160
Interest to be charged upon tax, 189
Salary Bill, 260
Constables at Elections, 285, 563
Orator for Fourth of July, 292
Special election in Ward 10, 301
Harbor Master, 328
Trustee City Hospital, 328
Decoration Day, 329
Claims of West Roxbury Laborers, 353
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 372
Music on Common, 377
South Boston Branch Library, 391
Sale of ferry-boat " General Grant," 396
Police Commissioners, 409, 470
Ballground on Common, 444
Prison Point Flats, 451
Improved Sewerage, modifying contracts, 510
Painting office of Sup'fc Common, 522
Inspector of Lime, 524
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 538, 575, 664, 685
West I'ourth-street widening, 575
Drake's History of Roxbury, 597
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 613
Street Commissioners, 616
Voting precincts in Wards 23, 24, and 25, 620, 635
East Chester Park, 629, 669
Lease of building on Warren-street bridge, 684
Stony Brook, 688
Transfer of Insane, 739, 772
Election of Street Commissioner, 765
Muddy River — see Stony Brook Improvement
Mullane, Ward 12 — remarks :
Loam for public grounds, 247
Mullen, Ward 13 — remarks :
Second Assistant Assessors, 89
Police belts, 122
Supts. of Bridges, 137, 153
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 181, 211
Appropriation Bill, 164
Harbor Master, 223
South Boston Branch Library, 393, 477
Playgrounds, 442
Improved Sewerage, modifying contracts, 511
Mystic Valley Railroad —
Leave to withdraw, a 97
Nason, Ward 17 — remarks :
Appropriation Bill, 163
S. Boston Branch Library, 191, 477
Proposed visit to Sudbury river, 352
Sale of ferry-boat " General Grant," 396
Dissection of dead bodies, 5S0
New York and New England Railroad Co. —
Petition for repair of bridge at Quincy street, Dorchester, le av«
to withdraw, a 641
Northampton-st. District -
c G63, a 6 75
Mandamus from Supreme Judicial Court, c 187, a 194
Request for $4,000 additional appropriation, a 655,
c684
O'Connor, Ward 8 — remarks :
Decoration Day, 329
Rowing Regatta, 444
Omnibuses, etc. —
Grove Hall to Mt. Hope Cemetery, a 342
Passenger wagons licensed : —
Bowdoin sq. to Rowe's, Litchfield's and India wharves, a 96
Sullivan sq. to Litchfield's, Howe's and India wharves, a 96
Ilaymarket sq. to Rowe's and Litchfield's wharves, a 96
Fitchburg R. Station to Rowe's and Litchfield's wharves, a 90
Bowdoiu sq. to Rowe's wharf, a 96
Bowdoin square to Litchfield's wharf, a 427
Park square to Rowe"s wharf, a 427
Overseers of Poor — [see also City Officers] —
Quarterly reports, a 38, 273, 490
Resignation of F. W. Lincoln, a 170, c 172
Annual report, c 353
Report of property, a 386, c 389
Resignation of Henry L. Richards and George Curtis, a 490
Resignation of Washington L. Prescott, c C16, a 621
Passenger wagons — see Omnibuses, etc.
Pawnbrokerage —
Regulation of Interest, c 394, a 397, c 668, a 676
Pearl, Ward 1 — remarks :
Public Baths, 25, 34, 94, 105
Sale and purchase of ferry-boats, 87
Appropriation Bill, 161
School-house, Allstou District, 182
Director East Bostou Ferries, 291
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 576, 664, 684
XII
INDEX TO PROCKKD1NGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Perham, Ward 23 — remarks :
Fourth of July, 313, 335
Huntington ave., 328
Lagrange street, West Roxbury, 351
Ungraded streets, 3(59
Koxbury Canal, 442, 453
Playgrounds, 442
Prison Point Flats, 451
Duties of Street Commlwtonw, 452, 599,615
Fourth of July Regatta, 4'jb
Settlement of betterments, 689
Public urinals, 628
Now Court House, 540
West Fourth-street widening, 576
Invitation to " Siege of Paris, - ' 581
Drake's History of Roxburj , 598
Barton court, 599
Dissection of dead bodies, lilS
Toting precincts in Wards '23, 24, and 25, 020
East Chester Park, 628. 069, 090
Street Commissioners, 685, 030, 072
Non-resident employes, 709
linn I.!' Street Commissioner, 765
Perkins. A Merman — remarks :
Soup, 26
c Commission, 52
Decease. 275
Pierce, Ward 24 — remarks i
Joint Rules and Orders, 12
Public Baths, 26
Supt's of Bridges, 152
Army and Navv .Memorial, 174
South Boston Branch Library, 191, 378, 890, 477
Interest to be charged upon tax, 190
Additional water supplj appropriation, 220, 281
Proof of statement in personal explanation, 248
Protecting tributaries of Lake Cochituatc, 258
Premiums on Loan-, ;!17
Police Commission, 889
Visit to Sudbury river, 379
Contractor on improved Sewerage, 379
Printing Document on Registration and Flections, 389
Proposed abolition of certain commissions. 896
Koxbury Canal, 4U7
l'la\ grounds, 4 12
Duties of Commissioners, 444
Summer . 170, 478
Dartmou' >i idge, 510
Improved Sewerage, modifying contrasts, 510
Settlement of betterments, .322
Drake's Historj of Koxbury, 689
Street Commissioners, 615, 635
Voting precincts in Wards 23, 24, and 25, 020. 635
Bast Chesti r Park, 629
East Bo ton Perries, legal fees, 667
Transfer of insane, 74->, 770
Repeal of election prcciui ts, 747
Plimpton, Ward 21 —remarks:
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 211
Trustee of city Hospital, 277
Additional Water Appropriation, 297
Premiums on Loans, 317
Seventeenth of Juni .
Drake's History of Koxbury, 598
i Commissioners, 637
Public Institutions, investigation, 691
Non-resident employes, 705
Police — Quarterly reports of Chief, a 18, a 183, a 447
Annual report of Chief, a 18
Bleeping horses, purchasing furniture and supplies, making re-
pairs, authorized, a 20
Police Commission — see Legislative Matters
Expediency of wearing belts, referred, c 91 ; indefinite!
poned, c 122
Annual Report of Trustees of Police Charitable Fund, a 274
Polio loners, appointed, a 380, c 408; office 1
a 487
Powers of Police Commissioners, c 455, 457, 4G7, a 483
Salaries (1 ioners — see Salaries.
Joint Standing Committee, order constituting passed, c 562,
577 ; appointed, •> 1, a .5S2
Monthly reports of Commissioners, Oct. c 601, Nov. a 050
Pensioning Patrolmen, c 036, a 638,c 747, 774
Ordinance authorizing special police for departments, 1
Extra pay for Police n, a 710, 729, c 773, 776
Distribution of Documents, c 749, a 750, 758, c 765
Enforcement of ordinances relating to horse-cars, 750
— sec also ,; Overseers of Poor," also " Soup for the Poor."
Report of Commissioners on Treatment of the Poor, referred,
a 203, c 277
Old Hayhew schoolhouse, communication from Mayor referred,
a 517, c 561 i report, order referred, c 578, a 682; report, a
592 ; order passed, a 601 , c 612
Dissection of dead bodies, order rejected, c 578; reconsideration
refused, 595; investigating committee appointed, c '',.', ; re-
port, referred to next city government, c 7'5,a 780
, Benjamiu, Ward 15 —
Elected President, 1 ; address, 1
Printing and ltindiug —
Annual reports authorized in print, c 3, a 8
Municipal Register authorized, c 3 , a 8
Mayor's Inaugural Address, e 2. as [c 31, a 68
Superintendent of Printing, report of ordinance, c 22 ; passed,
Army and Navy Monument Memorial, second edition, referred,
c 15, a 17; report, a 38, c 42; order ottered, a 100; re-
ferred, 176, a 183, report, c 220, a 227
Annual Report of Superintendent, a 14ti
Report of Commission on relief of poor, a lis, e 152
Statutes relating to Registration and Elections, and Collection
of Taxes, c 302, a 808, e 317, a ;>1K, c 37S, a 3*4, a MS!), a 398
Drake's History of Koxbur\ , order referred, <• 6S0, a 582; re-
port, c 597. 015, a 021 ; c 036, 072, a 676
Graveyards of Boston, order referred, c 095, a 696 ; report inex-
pedient, c 749, :i 750
Binding Documents and Proceedings of Citv Council, c 749, a
750
Prison Point Flats -see Health, Hoard of, " Mill Pond Blata »
Public Paths —
Repairs and assistance authorized, c 25, a 27
Expediency of placing under Hoard of Health, a 27, c 30, 34,
a 105,396
Soutli Boston, order referred, c 444, a 440
Annual report, a 754
Public Buildings — see also Schools —
Furniture, repairs, etc , authorized, a 20. c 31
Annual report of Superintendent, a 40
Order to report unsafe buildings, a 72, 83, 148, c 152, a 276, 807 ;
report, a 823
Sale of engine-house lot, Charlestown District, a 111, c 116.
Common street School-house, Char'ostown, claim of .Mary W.
Wyman, report, a 185, order passed, a 194, c 238
Quinev Hall, lease approved, a 228
Mass. Colleg?of Pharmacy, use of rooms in Franklin School-
house granted, 377, a 3S5
High and Latin School building — see Schools
Police Station Six, expediency of new site and building, c 394,
a 400, c 407 ; report, c 470, a 483
Kaneuil Hall, rearrangement of portraits, 429
Construction and repair of buildings, report, c 44o, a 440
New Court llotist — see County of Suffolk.
Free use of F'aueuil Hull, petition referred, a 547 : report, 715,
753
Double windows for Council Chamber, order rejected, a 619
Public Institutions —
Opinion of City Solicitor requested on power of directors to fix
salaries, c 10, a 17
Manufacture of chain cables, referred, a 111, c 116; report,
a 129, c 136; order passed, a 151; c 155: rejected, 170,
190; reconsideration, discussion, charges of bribery, iuves-
itton, e 210, a 227, c 246, a 251, c 286: order rejected, c 292
Salaries of employes, ordinance referred, c 106, a 109; report,
ordinance passed, c 122, a 126
liency of removing House of Correction referred, c 248;
Indefinitely postponed, a 251
Annual report, a 357
Long Island for House of Correction, order offered, c 302 ; re-
ferred, c 810, a 819, 0,828; a 888
Care of Lunatics, message, a 380 ; referred, a 465, c 467 ; report,
a 050, 075, 720, c 737, 767, 770, a 780
dieney of leasing Old State Piison for House of Correction,
referred, c 37'J ; indefinitely postponed, a
Oars of neglected children, a 448, c 451
Inspection of Prisons — see County of Suffolk
Members of Committee authorized to visit, c 541; indefinitely
postponed, a 564
Investigating Committee, order offered, c 580; passed, c691, a
a 711 ; Indefinitely postponed, a 711
Board of Directors requested to furnish quarterly reports, c 777,
a 7SI I
The Pauper Dead — tee l'oor
Public Lands —
Annual report of Superintendent, c 22
Committee to take possession of estates, c 3, a 26
Win. Corbett^Bhange authorized, a 20, c 22
Charles Rfheinlfardt, change authorized, a 70, c 73
Notice to mortgagees, expediency referred, c 1S2; report, c 443
Mortgage discharged, on petition of J. J. Clapp, a 288
Church, Suffolk, and Northampton street claims, referred, with
full powers, c 315, a 318
Ordinance authorizing acknowledgments, referred, c 315, a 319;
report, c 443, a 489. 520
Order confirming acknowledgments, c 316, a 319, 398, c 451,
a 4s9
Confirmatory deed to Aaron H. Allen, c 476, a 483
Several bonds cancelled, a 514, c 520, a 655, c 663, a 758, c 765,
772
Land near Police Station Eight, custody transferred to Police
Commissioners, a 568, c 575
Public Library —
Incorporating Trustees, report, order passed to petition, c 04,
a 68; amendments to ordinance referred, a 186, c 187;
report, a 229 ; ordinance passed, a 257, c 282
South Boston lirauch, report on lease of rooms, referred, c 191,
a 194 ; report, recommitted, a 251, c 258 ; report, c 378, 390;
lease authorized, c 477, a 483
Ventilation, referred, c 284, a 287
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XIII
East Boston Branch, necessity of repairs, referred, c 356, a 357
Presentation from G. F. Hammond, referred, c 456
Annual report, a 490
Bonds of special police, request referred, c 636, a 638 ; report,
c668
Public Parks —
Annual report of Park Commissioners, a 28
Salary of clerk, a 28, c 30, 46, 60, a 68
Cession of Charles-river flats, report, a 54 ; order passed, a 67 ;
laid on table, c 73 ; passed, c 91
Nursery at Austin Farm, referred, a 183, c 187; report, c 443,
a 446, c 456, 467, 478, a 483
Back Bay Park — more land, c 46, a 54, 64, c 75, a 85
petition for improving, referred, a 37
$25,000 for filling, c 34, a 37, c 46, c 123
delay of work, order of inquiry, c 93, a 95 ; report, a 110,
cll6
Loan for improving, a 112, c 116, 125, 137, c 164, 181
Price for filling, resolve referred, c 123, a 126 ; report,
c 165, a 168
Order of inquiry, c 226, a 227, c 314
$25,000 additional appropriation, a 320, c 328, a 350, 361,
384,401,406, c 407, a 446
Surface grading by loam from water basins, a 386, c 389
report, request for $25,000 referred, a 516, c 520 ; report
a 526, 528 ; indefinitely postponed, a 698
Jamaica Pond for a park, petitions referred, a 305, c 308,
a 318
Horatio Harris estate, order offered, c 302, indefinitely post-
poned, c 311
Orchard Park, order for enlarging rejected, c 315
Eecord Commissioners —
Third Report, a 723
Registration of voters — see also Printing, also Taxes —
$3,700 additional appropriation, c 596, a 600, c 601, a 604,
c612
Rewards —
S500 for murderer of James II. Daley, c 91, a 95
Richardson, Ward 10 — remarks :
Roxbury Caual, 5, 12, 433, 453
Finance Committee, 6
Free soup. 24
Public Baths, 25, 35, 94
Nuisance in Charlestown, 30, 63
Contracts involving employment of labor, 43
Petition for aid by laborers, 45
Harbor Master, 73
Police Commission, 76, 330
Official term of members of city government, 92
Sale and purchase of ferry-boats, 104
Management of public grounds, 118, 123, 219
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 142
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 180, 190, 212, 233
Appropriation Bill, 164
Tax titles, 182
School-house, Allston District, 182
South Boston Branch Library, 192, 394, 477
Improved Sewerage, 222
Requiring employes to be residents, 242
Additional Water Appropriation, 298
Special Election in Ward 10, 300
Claims of West Roxbury Laborers, 301
Trustee of City Hospital, 309, 328
Alterations of the Records, 311
Director of East Boston Ferries, 313
Premiums on Loans, 316
Fourth of July, 314
Huntington ave., 329
Sewer and Sidewalk Assessments, 315
Fourth of July, 335
Seventeenth of June, 368
Visit to Sudbury river, 370
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 371
Music on Common, 377, 390, 476, 478
Bathing Department, 396
Summer vacation, 422
Powers of Police Commissioners, 468
Back Bay park, 520
New Court-House, 539
Liquor Licenses, 561
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 576
Unlicensed sale of lager beer and cider, 581, 595
Duties of Street Commissioners, 599
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 612
Dissection of dead bodies, 617
East Chester Park, 070, 689
Stony Brook, 689
Extra services in Collector's Department, 703
. Non-resident employes, 706
Transfer of Insane, 741, 770
Annual dinner, 746
Election of Street Commissioner, 765
East Chester Park bridge, 773
Richardson, Ward 11 — remarks :
Joint Rules and Orders, 13
Police Commission, 60
Mill Pond Flats, 63
Appropriation Bill, 160
South Boston Branch Library, 192
Interest to be charged upon tax, 189
Duty of Fire Commissioners, 285
Seventeenth of June, 368
Music on Common, 377
Non-resident employes, 709
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, 774
Pensioned Policemen , 774
Robinson, Alderman — remarks :
Payment of Mr. Winship's bill, 203
Taking birds for scientific purposes, 401
Paving Warren street, Charlestown, 572
Protection of Lake Cochituate, 653
Northampton Street District, 655
New Court House, 721
Non-resident employes, 761
Board of Public Works, 764
Rosnosky, Ward 16 — remarks:
Free soup, 24
Classification of voters, 36
Accounts of Water Board, 74
Police Commission, 80, 334
Work on Back Bay Park, 93
Public Baths, 106
Management of public grounds, 119
Appropriation Bill, 160
Employes on public grounds, 218, 222
Confirmation of Water Commissioner, 282
Duty of Fire Commissioners, 285
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 309, 375, 457
Trustee of City Hospital, 309
Director East Boston Ferries, 312
Proposed visit to Sudbury river, 352, 369, 379
Music on Common, 377
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 395, 452
Roxbury Canal, 437
Playgrounds, 442
Powers of Police Commissioners, 457, 473
Fourth of July Regatta, 458
South Boston Branch Library, 477
Salaries of Police Force, 476
Summer Concerts, 476
Improved Sewerage, modifying contracts, 511
Painting office of Superintendent of Common, 522
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 542, 694
Drake's History of Roxbury, 597
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 613
Dissection of Dead bodies, 617
East Chester Park, 630
Street Commissioners, 632, 674
Transfer of $1,800 to Law Department, 684
Non-resident employes, 710
Annual dinner, 746
Pensioned Policemen, 748, 774
Police distribution of Documents, 749
Election of Street Commissioner, 765
Proposed contract for plants, 766
Director for Public Institutions, 766
Transfer of the Insane, 770
Roxbury Canal —
Abating nuisance, c 3, a 40, c 164, 182, a 1S3, 305, 402, c 432,
444, 452, a 460
Order passed to obtain City Solicitor's opinion, c 5 ; substitute
order passed, a 8, c 12
Arrangement to visit, c 445
Rules and Orders —
Of Aldermen — of 1877, adopted, 1 ; committee, 1 ; report, 8
Of Council — of 1877, adopted, 2; committee, 2; report, 5;
adopted, 16
Joint — of 1877, adopted, a 1, c 2 ; committee, a 1, c 2 ; report,
c 4 ; adopted, c 12, 14, a 17, c 23, a 27
Pocket edition authorized, c 3, a 8
Secrecy of Committee Proceedings referred, c 5, a 8 ; report, in-
expedient, c 23, a 26
Carriage-hire, report, c 164, a 168
Mistakes in Ballots, order referred, c 285
Notice of public hearings, order referred, c 315, a 31S
Rust, Ward 18 — remarks:
Classification of voters, 35
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 75
Salaries —
Employes residing in city — see City Laborers
Report of Committee on Salaries, a 19S; orders passed, a 230, c
238, 259, a 273
Of Police and Police Commissioners, order to report ordinance,
a 305, c 30S, 329 ; report, order passed, a 347, c 351, 370,
379, 456, 475, 477, a 485
Of Supt. of N. Beacon st. Bridge and Western avenue Bridge,
a 306, c 328
Salaries of ward officers, order referred, a 491, c 520; report
order passed, a 593, c 595, 600
Salary of Iuspector of Milk, a 497
Superintendent of Ferries, request of Directors for reduction of
salary referred, a 547 ; report, a 593, c 595
Probation officer, County of Suffolk, communication of Mayor
referred, a 5S2, c 595 ; order passed, a 605, 625, c 628, c 672 ;
substitute passed, c 690, a 696
XIV
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Sampson, Ward 17 — remarks:
Bade
Finance Committee, 6
Free soup, 24
Public Baths, 34, 10.',
Contracts Involving the employment of labor, 12
Petition for aid ; -, 15
Police Commission, 64, BO
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 103, 141
Salaries of employes in public institutions, 106
Police Belts, 122 "
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 135, 155, 17<'>, 190,
210, 286, 296
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 136
Loan for Back Bay Park, 140, 104
Superintendents of Bridges, 1C>.'>
Appropriation Bill, 168, 172
Roxburj Canal, 164, 45;!
School appropriations and transfers, 156
Interest to be charged upon tax, 188
roved sewerage, 222
Harbor Blaster, 224
Additional water supply appropriations, 225, 226, 2C1, 273,
2'JS
Salary Bill,2G0
Special Election in Ward in. S
Alterations of the Record
Trustee of City Hospital
Director Bast Boston Ferries, 313
Fourth of July, 313
Premiums on loins, 316
South Boston Branch Library, 304, 477
Sale of fern boat " General Grant,"
Police Commissionei
English High and Latin School roof, 413
Summer vacation, 122
Prison Point Plats, 454
Care of lunatics, 467
Fa<t Boston Perries, legal fees, 688, 666
i of visit to Public Institutions, 542
Back fees to Di putj -. 612
Bast Cluster Park, 628, 690
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, G64
Transfer $1,800 to Law Department
Transfer of Insane, 739, 767
Proposed contract for plants, 766
Director for Public institutions, 766
Fast Chester-park bridge, 772
Sampson, Ward IS — remarks:
New Court-House, 540
Hack fees to Deputy Collectors, 613
Non-resident employes, 710
Santrv, Ward 10 — remarks:
Superintendents of Bridges, 187, 154
Sawyer, Ward IS — remarks:
Army and Navy Memorial, 171
Drake's History of Roxbury, 697
Sawyer, Ward 24 — remarks :
Public baths, 105
Manufacture of chain cables, 155
Schools —
East Boston Branch High School, request from School Com-
mittee, referred, e 64 ; report, c 122, a 126
Chapman School-house, request for repairs, referred, c 64, a 68 ;
report, c 122, a 126
additional appropriation, c 87, 105
Request referred for new School-house on I'olk street, c 88 ; re-
port, order passe,), c 122, a 126. a 323. C 352
Fire-escapes from High-School buildings, report referred, c 89 ,a 95
Order ofinquiry passed, c 121, a 126
Vacation Bchools, request referred, c 121, a 126, c 378, a 384
Powers of School Committee to spend money — order to petition
referred, c 123, a 126
Allston District, order to erect school-house, c 182, 187, a 194
ion square school-house lot, sewer assessment assumed,
a 186, c 224
Hillside school-house, expediency of purchasing land, referred,
c 226, a 227
Common street school-house — sec Public Buildings
Mason street, request for paving, referred, c 247, n 250
Dwight School-building, request for office for master, referred,
c 299, a 303 ; report referred, c 3'i8, a 384
Frothiugham School-house, request for alteration of tablet, re-
ferred, c 300, a 303 ; report, c 314, 328, a 338
Emerson School, request for change of tablet referred, c 329,
a 338, 384
Vacancies in School Committee, a 338, 525
Concord-st. Primary School-house, request for alterations in
outbuildings, referred, c 300, a 303 ; report, c 378, a 384
Eliot School, request to provide office for master, referred, c 377,
a 884 ; alterations authorized, c 476, a 483
High and Latin School-building, fire-proofing roof, c 378, a 384,
c 389, 413, a 427
Harrison School-house tablet, c 378
Hancock School, request for repairs, referred, c 443, a 446; re-
pairs authorized, e 476, a 483
Bunker Hill, request for radiators, referred, c 454, a 460 ; report,
c 476, a 483
Lawrence, request for repair of furniture, referred, c 154, a 460 :
repairs authorized, c 47'i, a 483
Wells School, request for replacing of outbuildings, referred,
c 454, a 460 ; authorized, e 47'i, a 488
Secretary's room. Mason street, request for extension, referred,
c 454, a 460 ; report, c 476, a 483
chapman School-house, change of heating apparatus, c 476,
a 488
Everett School-house, request for speaking tubes ami. bells,
referred, c 523, a .",25
Brighton Grammar School-house, heating, ventilating, furnish-
ing, referred, c 523, a 525 ; authorized, a 531, c 538.
Request for ward room, Ma.-on street, referred, c 690, a 696;
order passed, c 776, a 780
Seventeenth of June —
Order offered, c 122 ; passed, committee appointed, C 156,' a 168
Order to display Sags and close City Hall, a 363, c 368
Invitation accepted, c 377
Sewers — see also Improved Sewerage
Additional appropriation, a 20, c 22, a 2S
Annual report of Superintendent, a 28
Taking land of Boston & Albany Railroad, a 351
Taking lands at Dorchester, a .'SI
Assessments, acceptance of Act, referred, c 314. a 31S : report,
referred, e 443, a 44'",, <■ -Is*, 520, a 525, c 674, a 676
Dorchester Sewers, hearing, a 336
Order passed to pay assessment from Gibson School Fund, b
498, e 521) ; petition from School Committee, referred, c 578,
a 582; report, e '169 a 675
Ward street, communication from Board of Health referred, a
513.
Sheridan avenue and Terrace street, hearing, a 591; taking
laud, a 600
er to take land in Band street, 641
Expediency of placing Sewer Department in charge of City
Bngini er, order referred, c 696; laid on table, a 096
$ 15,000 additional appropriation, a 698, o 703, a 712, c 773
Order to construct in Winter street, a 111
Oak street, Charlestown, a 148
Cottage street, Charlestown, a 148
" tin .290,344
" Washington street, 290, 344
" Onion avenue, 290, 844
" Canton street, 325
" Gardner and other streets, Brighton, 351
Commercial street, Dorchester, 400
Hancock street, Dorchester, 400
Trull street, Dorchester, 400
Glen street, Dorchester, 400
" Adams sheet, Dorchester, 400
Brewer street. 1 is
Foss street, Charlestown, 465
Arlington avenue, Charlestown, 465
" Wyoming street, 498
" Dickens street, 408
" Middlesex street, Charlestown, 506
it street, W. Roxbury, 516
Saratoga street, Fast Boston, 516
Moore street, East Boston, 510
" Mat I r, Kn st Boston, 526
" Hereford street, 526
" Dalton street. 526
Canal street, Charlestown, 534
" Mill street, Dorchester, 566
" Jamaica street, 566
" Woodman street, 566
" Greenwich street, 589
" Faxon street, 589
" M street, a 600
" Sheridan avenue, 600
•' Terrace avenue, 600
" Hnnneman avenue, 605
" Hand street. 641
" Concord street, Charlestown, 663
Shepard, Ward 1 — remarks :
Police Commission, 73, 331
Loan tor publfc park, 138
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 178, 295
Director Fast Boston Ferries, 201
Proposed purchase of Long Island, 310
South Boston Branch Library, 300
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 394
Sale of ferry-boat " General Grant," 396
Powers of Police Commissioners, 467
Salaries of Police Force, 475
Settlement of betterments, 522
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 675
Duties of Street Commissioners, 599, 633, 637, 674
Dissection of dead bodies, 617
Water Supply for East Boston, 618, 620, 635
Non-resident employes, 710
Sibley, Ward 5 — remarks :
Roxbury Canal, 12
Free soup, 24
Joint rules and orders, 13, 14
Nuisance in Charlestown, 30, 46, 63
Police Commission, 58
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 61. 136
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XV
Management of public grounds, 90, 107
Regulation of horse-car travel, report— see Metropolitan R.R.
Salaries of employes in public institutions, 107
Co.; also 722, 723, 731
Manufacture of chain cables, 155, 178, 286, 294
Location in Brattle street granted, 723 ; accepted, 727
Appropriation Bill, 159, 173
Evening cars, via Cornhill, 753
Employes on public grounds, 217
Spaulding (Alderman ) —
Police Commissioners, 413, 469
Elected and qualified, 336
Grading Monument Hill, 421
On macadamizing Adams street, 572
Prison Point Flats, 454
Commercial-street widening, 602
Ballground on Common, 458
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 726
Summer Concerts, 476
New Court House, 734
Improved Sewerage, modifying contracts, 511
Non-resident employes, 754, 761
Drake's History of Roxbury, 598
Spencele.y, Ward 19 — remarks :
Lease of building on Warren-street bridge, 684
Documents for members City Council, 5
Public Institutions, investigation, c 692
Joint rules and orders, 13
Non-resident employes, 710
Second edition Army and Navy Monument Memorial, 15
Transfer of the Insane, 768
Terms of members City Council, and salaries, 15
Sinking Funds —
Free soup, 23
Appropriations required, a 53
Nuisance in Charlestown, 30
Annual report, a 304
Classification of voters, 36
Slade, Alderman — remarks :
Contracts involving employment of labor, 43
Refreshments, etc., 17
Personal explanation, 44
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 39
Petition for aid by laborers, 45
Police Commission, 62
Police Commission, 58, 75
Cambridge Bridges, 71
Harbor Master, 73, 156, 222
Placing public grounds in care of Park Commissioners, 83
Management of public grounds, 87, 91, 118, 123
Loan for improving parks, 113
Work on Back Bay Park, 93, 124
Cost of public instruction, 126
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 104, 141
Telegraph poles in Brighton, 149
Public Baths, 106
Directors of public institutions, 185
Appropriation for public instruction, 121
BUI of H. A. Winship, 185, 203
Police Belts, 122
Appropriation Bill, 196
Unsafe buildings, 152
Employes on public grounds, 202, 205
Superintendents of Bridges, 152
Pay of lamplighters, 205
Appropriation Bill, 160
Improved Sewerage, 208
Roxbury Canal, 164
Decoration Day, 209
Fire Commissioner, 172
Salary Bill, 231
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 181
Mercantile Wharf Market, 235
Tax titles, 182
Temporary building on Common, 253
School-house, Allston District, 182, 187
Pollution of Lake Cochituate, 256
Interest to be charged upon tax. 188
Director Public Institutions, 307
South Boston Branch Library, 191, 378, 391, 477
Decoration Day, 319
Labor on public grounds, 219
Special Election for Alderman, 319
Retaining money due contractors, 238
Paving North Market street, 324
Directors of public institutions. 239
Custody of Eastern-ave. wharf, 336, 344
Requiring employes to be residents, 243
Laborers on Improved Sewerage, 345
Removal of House of Correction, 248
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 348
Trustee of City Hospital, 277, 309
New Boiler-house at Jail, 350
Additional Water Supply Appropriation, 282
Foot bridge at D street, over O.C. Railroad, 364
Confirmation of Water Commissioner, 283
Vacation Schools, 384
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 308, 457
Mass. College of Pharmacy, 385
Alterations of the Records, 311
Paving Frothingham ave. , Charlestown, 387
Public Parks, 314
Railroad tracks on Causeway street, 399
Ungraded Streets, 369
Taking of birds for scientific purposes, 400
Music on Common, 376, 390, 478
Back Bay Park, 406
Bathing Department, 396
Fitchburg Railroad connection with Union Freight Railroad,
Harbor Police, 396
429
Back Bay Park, 407, 521
Concert Garden in West Roxbury, 450
English High and Latin School roof, 414
Prison Point Flats, 460
Duties of Commissioners, 452
South Boston Branch Library, 483
Powers of Police Commissioners, 458, 467
Powers of Police Commission, 483
Fourth of July Regatta, 458
Paving Columbus ave., 488
Director for Public Institutions, 454
Columbus avenue horse-car controversy, 492, 498
Salaries of Police force, 475
Regulation of horse-car travel, 496, 507, 550, 606, 626, 644, 661,
Improved Sewerage, modifying contract, 510
698, 732
Painting office of Sup't Common, 522
Highland Railway, temporary tracks, 517
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 543, 693
New Court House, 518, 534, 642, 718, 733
Brighton Grammar school-house, 538
Polling-places, 526
East Boston Ferries, fees for legal services, 662, 6S6
Cazenove place, 531
Dissection of dead bodies, 580, 617
Voting-places, 559
"Siege of Paris," 581
Election expenses, 559
Drake's History of Roxbury, 598
Polling-place for Precinct Four, "Ward Eight, 570
Back fees to Deputy Collectors, 013
Paving Warren street, Charlestown, 671
Water Supply for East Boston, 618
Macadamizing Adams street, 572
Voting precincts in Wards 23, 24, and 25, 620
Use of Mayhew School-house for homeless wanderers, 592, 601
East Chester Park, 631
Sudbury River Conduit, 610
Salary of Probation Officer, 690
Commercial-street widening, 640
Transfer of Insane, 743, 771
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, 647
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, 774
South Boston R. R., tracks over Dover-street bridge, 061
State Aid —
Purchase of gravel bank at Watertown, 681
Committee, c 2
Free use of Faneuil Hall, 715
Appointment of Paymaster and clerical assistance authorized, c 3
Reduction of Market rents, 717
Quarterly report of Paymaster, a 10, 168, 427, 556. T.'iS
Non-resident employes, 760
Supplementary order passed, a 342
Smith, Ward 9 — remarks :
Payments charged to Soldiers' Relief, a 402, c 432
Classification of voters, 36
Report, order to petition, passed, a 713, c 737
Management of public grounds, 123
Stehbins, Alderman —
Appropriation Bill, 160
Elected chairman, 1
Fourth of July Regatta, 459
Remarks : TJncollectable taxes, 11
Soup for the poor —
Claims of West Roxbury laborers. 130
Order passed, c 23, a 26 ; report, a 184
Member of Boston Water Board, 255
Order offered, c 636 ; passed, c 672, a 675
Pollution of Lake Cochituate, 256
South Boston R.R. Co. —
Death of Alderman Perkins, 275
Hearing for location over Dover-st. bridge, etc., 81 ; report,
Regulation of horse-car travel, 606, 626, 644, 699
128, 149
Sudbury River Conduit, 610
Notices of hearings, a 626 ; hearing, 711
Back pay to Deputy Collectors, 646
Location over Dover-street bridge to Park square, hearing, 658 :
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, 647
order of notice and resolve passed, 661; order reported,
Commercial-street widening, 653
753 ; passed, 757
South Boston R. R. tracks over Dover-Stn
Location on East Eighth street, granted, 526 : accepted, 547
Leave of absence to City Physician, 71".
XVI
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Free use of Faneuil Hall 71~>
Extra pay for policemen, 710
New Court House, 721
Improved Sewerage, and East Chester Park. 72^
Street Commissioners —
Annual report of Commissioners, c 18
Heath of Joseph Smith, a 763, c 705
Election of Newton Talbot, a 753, c 765
Abolition of Streer [on, c 394,443, 451, 4a8, a 460, c 581
590, 615, 632, 636, 672, a 675, 764
Stonv lirook Improvement —
Joint Special Committee to take charge, c 3
Diversion of Muddy lirook, petition referred, a 96 ; oommun
tion from Brookline committee referred, c 152, a 168; n
referred to next city government, c 708, a 711
Boston Belting Co., order to petition passed, o 125, a 12
c 663, 674, 686
Streets —
Superintendent authorized to remove structures on Bidewalks,
grant permits to open streets, number streets, pun
horses an, 1 supplies, furnish and -
walks, erect fences, lay crosswalks, and pave gutters, a 20
"West Chester Park, expediency of changing line referred, a '-1
Names of streets, expi diencj of revising, referred, a 21
Laving out private streets, referred, c 25,
Removing bridge on Parker St., a 28
Committee authorized to refer claims to arbitration
Hereford st, extension, referred, c 82, a 87 ; report , order passed,
c 64, a 68. 85
Removal of obstructions, order offered, a il; passed, a 88
In Roxbury, sprinkling,
In Brighton, sprinkling, 111
Annual reporl of Superintendent, a 146
Teleirranh poles in Brighton, a L49
Ktosprink 1,280,252
fruit-stands in streets, order referred, a 148; report, order,
Obsti >rder to enforce ordinances, a 14S, - j~, 262, 273
laterials, a 107
Sprinkling at public expense, report, a 169
Occupation of Bidewalks, Highlands, report, a 169
Regulation of I i 229
BpSnkll realth ave., W. Ch >ark, Huntingto i
ave.,a280 . „ , _ ,
Sprinkling Chestnut-Hill ave., Cambridi
ington st., and Western ave., Brighton, o 230
Sprinkling Beacon st., Brighton ave., and Brookline ai
Sprinklin •• a 230
Grade established between Columbia st. and N. T. & H. B. B il
road, a 2 ,.„...•
Old road, Dorchester, commu " i: rs,
refei red, a 287 „,,
Widening Courtstreet, petition referred, a o2i : report, 11
pedii „
r j elegraph wire authorized on Crescent ave.. a j'-1
Sidewalk i ee Sewers
gwett Bti ment of city's claims, a843, c 851
La, reet, expediency of discontinuing, referred, a ,143, ;
Post-Of- ton, communication from May or, referred, a 322
Grading Huntington ave., referred, c 828, a 888 ; ordei
a a
tem-ave. wharf— see Ferries
Abating Betterment Assessments, a 326, 34-"
Ungraded streets, order to report, c 356, a 35. , c 369
Foot bridge at D street, over O.C. Railroad, a 868, 884 j
initely postponed, a 406
Railroad tracks on ( street, a 398
Leave to construct brick tunnel under Arch street, a
Old Colony R.R. Co. authorized to erect
avenue, a
Regulation of horse-car travel — fee Metropolitan R.K. I
Atlantic avenue sea-wall, report of safety, a 506
Western avenue, Brighton, leave to construct electric telegraph,
Committee authorized to settle betterment assessments, a 014,
c 522
Tudor street , acceptance referred, c 524, a 52a
prfdening, report of Commissioners,
referred, a 554, c 561: petition referred, a 51
ferred, a 569, c 575, a 602; report, a C24 ; order to rea
Expedience of widening A street, referred, a 684, C 588; report,
a 024," c 028, 636, a 638, c 669, a 681, 682, 722, 72<, c 744,
775,776
Order of notice to quit on Dalton street, 565
Order of notice to quit on Dearborn street, 5C5
Cazenove place, $2,500 to W. II. Whitmore, a 531, 549
Obstructions of sidewalks, ordinance reported, c 641 ; referred,
c 562, a 564 ; report, c 668, 684, a 690
West Fourth street, order for widening referred, a 547 ; report,
order passed, a 569, c 675 ; order to quit, a 689
Notico of damage, from George Curtis, a 560
Ward street — see Health, Board of
East Chester Park extension, report and order from Street
Commissioners, referred, a 582, c 695; report, referred, a
624, c 628, 669, 689, a 697, 711, 758, c 773, 776
Barton court, report, c 599, a 600
Adams street, order Of notice to quit, 605
Eastern avenue, report, c 669, a 082
Obstructions on Kneeland street, a 682, 096, 725, 75S
rel bank in Watcrtown. 681, TOO, 746
Coasting on Webster street, 082, 713
Causeway-street obstructions, referred, a 697
Ferrin street, order of notice to quit, a 697
¥2,000 to James Dennie, 752, 757
— Adams street, grade and macadamize, a 572
— Albion st., edgestones, gutters, a 252
— Beacon St., cross-walks, 280
— Blue Hill avenue, sprinkling, 325
— Brookline avenue, sprinkling, 274
— Brewster street, gutters, edgestonos, sidewalks, 364
— Butterfield avenue, named, 325
— Cambridge street, Charlestown, sprinkling, 324
— Cambridge street, Charlestown, license to water, a 363
— Caw street, cross-walk, 526
— Chapman Street, pave, macadamize, edgestones, sidewalks, 4^
alsea street, Charlestown, transfer of three telcgraphpoles, 51 ,
t in a avenue, grade, edgestones, gutters, 290
iinan park, grading, edgestones, gutters, 693
— Columbia street, Dorchester, grade, 324
— Columbia street, establish grade, 824
— Coliin lie, paving, 488
— Commercial, Park, Mill, and Beach streets, Dorchester, spnnk
ling, 428
5e, Host. ,n, and Humphrey streets, sprinkling, 363
— Curtis street, named, 387
— Dorchester avenue, sprinkling, 428
— Dudley Street, .sprinkling, 325
— Dudley ami Stetson streets, sprinkling, 363
itl'i street, edgestones, gutters, 304
- Elm street , aes, gutters. 289
— Everett a\ e. tiers, roadway, sidewalks, 2o2
— Faxon sti and gravel, 506
— Fay street, edgestones, sidewalks, a 348
— Frothingham avenue, Charlestown, paving, grading, 3S7
i gia street, cross-walk , 526
— Q teen street, edgestones.
— (irecuon; I , edgestones, gutters. .
— Harrison avenue, sprinkling, 402
— Hathorn square, named. 280
— Highland sheet, Bprinkllng, 290
len row, Charlestown, named, 109
— Huntington avenue, grade, macadamize, 306, 107
— I SI
— Lamartine street, edgestones, gutters, 239
, gutters, 462
— - Lincoln Park, bricl
trees, : ■ tters, 230
— Main street, Charlestown, pave, 306
D street, notice to Middlesex R.R. to pave, 387
— Meridian street, edgestones, 641
— Michigan avenue, edgestones, gutters, 271
— Mill street, Di grade, gravel, a b'43
— Minot street, paving, 888
— Murray avenue named, a'531, 546
— Ninth street, edgestones, gutters, sidewalks,
grading, etc., 28
— So. Market street, paving,
— No. Beacon street, Brighton, macadamize, a 343
— Northampton street, paving, a 363
— P street, edgestones, 681
— Park square, paving, 230
u, paving, 387
— rarker street, grade, fences, walls, 307
— Putnam street, East Boston, edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, o48
— Quince St., edgestones, gutters, 230
— River st. i , grading and macadamizing, a 262
Riverside street, street crossing, 520
— Roxbury street, sprinkling, 324
— Kuggles street, grading, 29
therford avenue, named, 325
boo] street* , 289
— Shawmut avenue, paving, 274
— Bhawmut avenue, notice to Highland II. H. to pave, 3Si __
n street, Charlestown, edg dewalks, paving, 38.
— Stevens street, edgestones, gutters, sidewalks, 517
— Sudbury street, paving, 304
— Sumner street, East Boston, sidewalks, 548
— Thomas street, pave sidewalks, 363
— Thomas park, named, 887
— Trcmont, Cabot, and others, sprinkling, 387
I — Tudor street, edgestones, Bidewalks, gutters, a 492
— \\ all street, paving, 388, 389
! — AValnut avenue, sprinkling, 325
— Walnut avenue, leave to lay iron pipe, 306
— Warren street, sprinkling, 325
— Warren street, Charlestown, paving, a 571
— Washington street, sprinkling, 274
— Webster street, gutters, macadamize, edgestones, a 572
— 'Western avenue, Brighton, macadamize, a 571
— West Walnut park, edgestones, gutters, grade, and gravel, 388
I — White street, grade established, 289
! — Wiggin street, named, 230
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XVII
— Willow street, West Roxbury, grade, gravel, 324
Summer Vacation —
Board of Aldermen, 429
Common Council, 407, 441, 454, 459, 477
Sumner, Charles —
Acceptance of statue, a 757, c 765
Taxes — see heading Auditor of Accounts, item Estimates
Act in relation to collection of taxes, request to report ordi-
nance, a 325, c 328
Thompson, Ward 9 — remarks :
Joint rules and orders, 12
Free soup, 24
Public Baths, 25, 34
Classification of voters, 35
Contracts involving employment of labor, 44
Petition for aid by laborers, 45
Mill Pond flats, 46
Police Commission, 58, 76, 330
Superintendent of Public Grounds, 60
Management of public grounds, 87, 89, 108, 118, 123
Police Belts, 91
Charles-river embankments, 91
Work on Back Bay Park, 93, 124
Loans for park purposes, 116, 138
Police belts. 122
Supt's of Bridges, 137
Mass. Char. Mechanic Exhibition, 143, 176
Fire Commissioner, 172
Appropriation Bill, 173
Tax titles, 182
Interest to be charged upon tax, 1S9
Purchases of city supplies, 192
Chain-cable factory at House of Correction, 212, 296
Decoration Day, 213
Employes on public grounds, 217, 222
Harbor Master, 224
Additional water-supply appropriations, 225, 281, 298
Employes on new park, 226
Requiring employes to be residents, 260, 745
Confirmation of Water Commissioner, 284
Duty of Fire Commissioners, 285
Director East Boston Ferries, 291, 312
Special election in Ward 10, 300
Claims of West Roxbury laborers, 301
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 308
Public Parks, 314
Trustee of City Hospital, 309
Premiums on loans, 316
Fourth of July, 335
South Boston Branch Library, 390
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 395
Sale of ferry-boat " General Grant," 395
Bathing Department, 396
Harbor Police, 396
Back Bay Park, 407, 520
Police Commissioners, 410
Summer vacation, 422
English High and Latin School building, 414
Painting office of Sup't Common, 523
Notices of Committee meetings, 563
West Fourth-street widening, 575
Committee on Police Dep't, 577
"Siege of Paris," 581
East Chester Park, 629
Voting precincts Wards 23, 24, and 25, 635
Street Commissioners, 636
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 665, 684
Lease of building on Warren-street Bridge, 684
Transfer of $1,800 to Law Department, 684
Stony Brook, 688
Public Institutions, investigation, 693
Transfer of Insane, 741
Annual dinner, 746
Pensioned policemen, 748, 774
Police distribution of documents, 749
Election of Street Commissioner, 766
Proposed contract for plants, 766, 777
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, 773
Thorndike, Ward 2 — remarks :
Police Commission, 79
Roxbury Canal, 432
East Chester Park, 628, 669
Toppan, Ward 3 — remarks :
City employes, 25, 239
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 374
Salary of Probation Officer, 628
Treasury Department —
Annual report of Treasurer, referred, c 300, a 303 ; report, c
378, a 384
Tress —— •
Removals authorized, a 38, 197, 275, 428, 488, 525, 593, 605, 701
Truant Officers — see City officers
Unfinished business —
Standing Committees directed to resume, c 3, a 8, 21
Referred to next City Government —
Diversion of Muddy river, o 703, a 711
Petition to obtain Long Island for House of Correction, c 747 ;
a 750
Board of Public Works, a 764, c 772
Licensing pool and sippio tables, a 758, c 772, a 780
Increase of Department hours, a 764, c 772, a 780
Pensioned Policemen, c 774, a 780
Dissection of dead bodies, c 775, a 780
Skating on Public Garden, c 777, a 780
Ail unfinished business in hands of committees, c 777, a 780,
781
Referred to next Board of Aldermen — [732
Metropolitan R. Co., removal of tracks in Harison avenue,
Union Freight R.R. Co. —
Location to Constitution wharf, a 289 j accepted, a 321
Viles, Alderman — remarks :
Refreshments and carriage-hire, 17, 27
Soup, 26
Police Commission, 38, 51
Cession of Charles-river flats, 55
Harbor Master, 67, 289
Removal of obstructions from the streets, 71
Sale of ferry-boat, 83
Placing public grounds in care of Park Commissioners, 85
Labor at public institutions, 111, 151
Loan for improving parks, 113
Claims of West Roxbury laborers, 130
Tablet on Christ Church, 151
Street obstructions, enforcing ordinances, 167
Bill of H. A. Winship, 185
Water Commissioner, 1S6
Pay to a disabled fireman, 186
Appropriation Bill, 195
Special election in Ward 10, 198
Employes on public grounds, 206
Salary Bill, 231
Mercantile Wharf Market, 236
Member of Boston Water Board, 255
Pollution of Lake Cochituate, 257
Removal of obstructions from public streets, 273
Special election for Alderman, 319
Paving North Market street, 324
Custody of Eastern-avenue wharf, 337, 345
Discontinuing Lagrange street, 343
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 348
Foot-bridge at D street over O.C.R.R., 364
Old State Prison for House of Correction, 385
Railroad tracks on Causeway street, 400
Taking birds for scientific purposes, 400
Roxbury Canal, 405
Police Commissioners, 405, 485
Back Bay Park, 406, 515
New building for Police Station Six, 406
Fitchburg R.R., connection with Union Freight R.R., 430
Prison Point flats, 449, 461
Concert garden in West Roxbury, 450
Care of lunatics, 465
C. M. Dakin's victualler's license, 465
Disposal of street sweepings and ashes, 446
Rowing regatta, obstructions, 446
Construction of sewers, 465
Powers of Police Commissioners, 485
Paving Columbus avenue, 488
Columbus avenue horse-car controversy, 494! 499
Public urinals, 498, 500
Meridian-street Bridge, 506
Regulation of horse-car travel, 509, 552, 609, 699
Highland Railway, temporary tracks, 517
Taking possession of lands, 514
New Court-House, 518, 534, 734
Pay for fowls killed, 548
Sudbury-river conduit, 560, 610
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 565
Land near Police Station Eight, 568
Commercial-street wideniug, 569, 602, 624, 638, 654
Abatement of nuisance assessment, 570
Macadamizing Adams street, 573
Sewer assessment on Gibson school fund, 582
Use of Mayhew School-house for homeless wanderers, 602
City Stables in Charlestown, 625
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, 647
East Boston Ferries, reduction of toll, 650
Election returns, 698
Extra pay for policemen, 716, 729
Reductiou of Market rents, 717
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 725
Salaried officers to be residents, 751, 754
Voting Precincts — see Elections
Ward, Ward 21 — remarks :
Work on Back Bay Park, 93
Supts. of Bridges, 137, 153
Appropriation Bill, 102
Roxbury Canal, 440
Drake's History of Roxbury, 597
East Boston Ferries, legal fees, 667
Public Institutions, investigation, 693
Non-resident employes, 710
XVIII
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
Wards— [see also Elections] —
Ward-room for Ward 1, expediency referred, e 34, a 37
Ward 22, ward-room accommodations, referred, <• 91
Ward-room for Ward 20, expediency referred, c, 125, a 188
Washington's Birthday —
Order to commemorate, c 34, 45, a 53
Water —
Request for power to contract referred, 32. a 37 ; report, order
passed, a 54, 57
New system of book-keeping, $500 for expert, a 54, c 74
$600,000 additional appropriation, referred, a 127 ; report, a j",1 ,
169 ; order passed, a 188, c 187. 224 ; order of inquiry pasf« d,
c 226, a 227 ; report, c 261, 277 ; reconsideration, c 297, 708,
711
Pollution of Lake Cochltuate, order to apply for injunction,
a 25C, c 258, a 273 ; report of City Engineer, referred, ■
c595
1 ncollected bill, order to report, a 257, c 258 ; report, a 2n.
Use of hydrants for watering streets in outlying districts,
report, a 323
Visit to Sudbury river, order offered, c 335 : rejected, c 352 ;
amended, order offered, 356 30!), 379
Annual report, Boston Water Hoard, a
\\ ater for Bast Boston, order to report on quality, c 524, i
Claims of Charles P. and Caroline T. Clark, order referred, n
5is ; report, a 548; order passed, a 684; reconsideration, a
600 : rejected,
Protection of Lake Cochltuate, communication referred, a 621
c 628; orders passed, a 853, e 663
Water Supply for East Uoston, c 618, 620, 685, • :
Sudbury River supply, additional authority and appropriation
to Water Hoard, referred, a 640, C
Webster, Ward 8 — remarks :
Mill 1'ond tiats. 45
Accounts of Water Board, T4
Police Commission. 75, 333
Management of public grounds, GO, 123
Belts, 91
Work on Back Bay Park, 94, 124
Appropriation for public instruction, 121
Mass Char. Mech. Exhibition, 141, 176
Loan for park purposes, 139
Appropriation Bill. 160
S. Boston Branch Library, 191
Labor on public grounds, 217
Requiring employes to be residents, 244
Proof of statement in personal explanation, 24S
Additional water supply appropriation, 280
Vacancy in Hoard of Kerry Directors, 308
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 808
Trustee Citj Hospital, 828
Police Commissioners, 413
Prison Point Flats, 451
Dories of Street Commissioners, 451
Powers of Police Commi , 458, 4G9
Weights and .Measures —
Annual report, a 27
Wheeler, Ward 10 —
Sworn in, 258
On Powers of Police Commissioners, 470
Settlement of betterments, 522
Salary of Probation Officer, 628,690
Voting precincts, Wauls 23, 24. and 25, 635
Street Commissioners, 036
Non-resident employes, 706
Wbidden, Alderman — remarks:
Refreshments and carriage-hire, 17, 27
Encroachments on sidewalks, 20
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 89
New sy.-tc m of bookkeeping for Water Department, 64
Harbor Mast< r, 67
-ion of Charles-river flats, 68
Hereford St. extension, 68
Removal of obstructions from the streets, 71
Cambridge Bridges, 71
Labor at public institutions. 111, 151
Loan for improving parks, 113
Cost of public instruction, 120
Mass. Charitable Mechanic Exhibition, 145, 621
Telegraph poles ill Brighton, 149
Street obstructions, enforcing ordinances, 148, 167
Storage of paving materials, 1G7
Egleston sq. school-house lot, 186
Appropriation Bill, 195
Employes on public grounds, 203, 200
Improved Sewerage coustructiou, 208, 632
Decoration Day, 209
Contracts involving employment of laborers, 227
Salary Bill, 23"
\ e to move wooden buildings, 229
Sprinkling streets, 230
Temporary building on Common, 254
Member of Boston Water Board, 255
Removal of obstructions from Public Streets 273
Printing Auditor's Annual Report, 290
Director East Boston Ferries, 290
Unsafe Public Buildings, 307, 323
Special election for alderman, 319
Improved Sewerage, 320, 307
East Boston Kerry avenues, 325, 450
Paving North Market street, 324
Horse-ear blockades, 326, 383 , 750
Abating betterment assessments, 326
Swett street, 343
Discontinuing Lagrange street. 343
Custody Eastern -avenue wharf, 344
Laborers on Improved Sewerage, 345
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 347
Foot-bridge at D street, over O.C.R.R., 363, 384
Paving Sudbury street, 364
Bridge over R.R. at Dartmouth street, 365
Paving Frothingham avenue, Charlestown, 387
Grading Huntington avenue, 898
Railroad tracks on Causeway street, 399
Hack Bay Park, 402, 516
Free Ferries on Fourth of July, 402
Roxbury Canal, 403
New building for Station Six, 406
Fltchburg R.R. in connection with Union Freight R.R., 430
Prison Point Flats, 449
Concert garden in West Roxbury, 450
Powers of Police Commission, 484
Indexes in Registry of Deeds, 486
Phipps-street l>ur\i>>g-ground, 487
Paving Columbus avenue, 488
Columbus avenue horse-car controversy, 493, 498
Regulation of horse-car travel, 495, 508, 518, 550, 608, 626, 644
662,700, 7:11,750
Public urinals, 498, 500
Meridian-street Bridge, 505
Improved Sewerage, modification of contracts, 510
Highland Railway, temporary tracks, 517
New Court-House, 519, 584, 076, 720, 734
Cazenovc place, 531, 549
Naming Murray avenue, 531, 646
Sudbui v-rivcr conduit, 548, 559, 600,609
flight of visit to Public Institutions, 564
Repairing bridges on West Chester park, 581
Government bonds as security, 533
ot Sup't of Common, 549
Land near Police Station Eight, 568
Abatement of nuisance assessment, 670
Warren street, Charlestown, paving, 571
Macadamizing Adams street, 572
Use of Maj hew School-house for homeless wanderers, 592
Commercial-street widening, 602, 638
pay to Deputy Collectors, 646
Pay of laborers before Thanksgiving, 647
East Boston Ferries, reduction of tolls, 649
Highland Hit. location, Hayuiarket square, 652
South Boston K. K. over Dover-stieet Bridge, 660, 757
Purchase ol gravel bank in Watertown, 681, 701
ing out A street, 683
Obstruction Of streets, 696
Additional compensation for clerks in Collector's Dep't. 711
Extra pa\ for policemen, 716
Redui tioii of Market rents, 718
Kuecland- treet obstructions, 725
South Boston Lunatic Hospital, 726
Improved Sewerage, and East Chester Park, 728
Sato '■ residents, 751, 762
illow for Roxbury Caual, 766
ter Park Bridge, 758
Hoard of Public Works, 764
in partment hours, 764
Whiton, Alderman — remarks:
New sj tern of bookkeeping for Water Department, 54
Burning street-lamps in night time, 149
Labor at public institutions, 151
Paj of lamplighters, 201
\ Bill. 2:J4
Removal of House of Correction, 251
Uncollcctedhill for iron, 257
Director of Bast Boston Kerries, 306
Horse cai I , 384
New building for Police Station Six, 406
Statue of Charles Sumner, 429
Fltchburg R.R. connection with Union Freight R.R, 429"
Concert garden in West Roxbury, 450
C. M. Dakin's victualler's license, 466
Public Library Report, 490
Sudbury -river conduit, 548, 559
Regulation of horse-car travel, 550
Right of visit to Public Institutions, 564
Reimbursement for care of poor in City Hospital, 590
Wilson, Ward 20— remarks:
Accounts of Water Board, 74
Iron pipes for Water Department, 57
Loam for public grounds, 248
Music on Common, 377
Roxbury Canal, 432
Powers of Police Commissioners, 474
Wilson, Henry —
Joint convention to receive portrait, a 400, c 407, a 428-
INDEX TO PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.
XIX
Wolcott, Ward 11 — remarks :
Joint rules and orders, 13, 15
1'ree soup, 24
Police Commission, 75
Sale and purchase of ferry-boats, 87
Pay of laborers, 91
Management of public grounds, 116
Police Belts, 122
Resignation from Committee on Public Instruction, 222
Requiring employes to be residents, 240, 261
South Boston Branch Library, 393
Proposed abolition of certain commissions, 394
Grading Monument Hill, 421
lloxbury Canal, 437
Playgrounds, 442
Powers of Police Commissioners, 457, 468
Salaries of Police force, 475
Non-resident employes, 704
Pensioned policemen, 748, 774
Strike at Grand Junction Wharf, 773
Woolley, Ward 1 — remarks :
Salaries of Police Commissioners, 370
FINAL PROCEEDINGS.
Common Council.
Thanks to the President, 777
Response of the President, 777
Order passed for printing the President's address, 779
Adjournment sine die, 779
Board of Aldermen.
Thanks to the Chairman, 781
The Chairman's response, 781
Committee to wait on the Mayor, 782
Response of the Mayor, 782
Order for printing final proceedings, 782
Adjournment nine die, 782
CITY GOVERNMENT
CITY OF BOSTON.
Organization of the Government,
JANUARY 7, 1878.
The members of the Board of Aldermen elect
were called to order at 10.15 A. M. by the City
Clerk.
The Mayor elect, Hon. H. L. Pierce, entered the
chamber and took the chair. He was accompa-
nied by Mayor Prince, Chief Justice Gray of the
Supreme Court, and Rev. Henry W. Foote of
King's Chapel.
A message was received from the Common
Council that a quorum of that body were present
and ready to be qualified. The Mayor and Alder-
men elect and the city Clerk, together with Chief
Justice Gray ami Rev. Mr. Foote, proceeded to
the Common Council chamber in charge of the
City Messenger.
The mem tiers elect of the Common C uncil were
called to order at 10.10 A. M. by Benjamin Pope of
Ward 15, the senior member.
On motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, Messrs.
Sampson of Wan! 17, Speneelevot Ward 10, Barry
of Ward 22, Coe of Ward 23 and Wyman of Ward
21 were appointed a committee to collect creden-
tials, which they did, and reported that sixty-
three members elect, constituting a quorum, were
present.
On motion ot .Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11 it was or-
dered that a committee be appointed to inform
the Mayor and Aldermen elect that a quorum of
the Common Council were present and ready to
be qualified. Mr. Wolcott was appointed said
committee, and in a lew minutes he returned and
reported that he had performed the duty and that
the Mayor and Aldermen elect would forthwith at-
tend tor the purpose of qualifying the members.
The .Mayor and Aldermen elect entered the
Council chamber and took seats with the Council-
men elect Prayer was offered by Rev. Henry W.
Foote. Chief Justice Gray adininstered the usual
oaths of office to the Mayor elect, who in turn ad-
ministered the usual oaths of office to the Alder-
men and Councilmen elect.
The Mayor delivered his inaugural address, at
the conclusion of which the Mayor and Alder-
men retired from the Council Chamber.
In Board of Aldermen.
The Board reassembled in separate session at
11.35, his Honor Mayor Pierce in the chair.
On motion of Alderman McLean the Board pro-
ceeded to the choice of Chairman, with the follow-
ing result:
Whole number of ballots 12
Necessary for a choice 7
Alderman Solomon B. Stebbins bad 11
Alderman Charles R. McLean * 1
And Alderman Stebbins was declared elected.
The Chairman-elect then took the chair, and,
after briefly expressing thanks for the honor con-
ferred, announced that the Board was ready to
attend to such business as might come before it.
On motion of Alderman McLean, it was order-
ed — That a message be sent to intorm the Com-
mon Council that Solomon B. Stebbins has been
duly elected chairman of the Board for the pres-
entmunicipal year. Passed, ami sent down.
Alderman Viles moved that the Board proceed
to an election of a Committee on Accounts. Car-
ried, and Aldermen Stebbins, Guild and Hayden
were fleeted.
Alderman Viles offered an order— That the joint
rules and orders of the City Council of 1877 be
adopted as the joint rules anil orders of the pres-
ent City Council until otherwise ordered, and that
Aldermen with such as the Common Coun-
cil may join be a committee to examine and re-
port if any changes are required therein. Passed,
and Aldermen Viles and McLean were appointed
on said committee. Sent down.
Alderman Harris offered an order— That the rules
and orders ot the Hoard of Aldermen of 1877 be
adopted as the rules and orders of this Board
until otherwise ordered; and that Aldermen
be a committee to examine and report if any
alterations are required therein. Passed, and
Aldermen Harris, Whiton and Robinson were ap-
pointed said committee.
Alderman Slade moved that the Board take a
short recess until word should be received from
the Common Council. Carried.
The Board was called to order at 12 M., when a
message was received from the Common Council
that that body had organized by the election of
Benjamin l'ope. President, and Washington
Gregg, Clerk.
Alderman Slade offered an order— That a mes-
sage be sent to the Common Council proposing a
convention of both branches of the City Council
forthwith, for the purpose of choosing a City
Clerk for the present municipal year. Passed.
Sent down.
The Mayor in the chair.
A message was read announcing that the Com-
mon Council had concurred in the order propos-
ing a convention of the two branches for the elec-
tion of a city clerk.
The Mayor and the Board proceeded to the
Common "Council chamber to hold a joint conven-
tion.
Upon returning from the Council chamber, Al-
derman Guild offered an order -That Mondays at
four o'clock P. M., be assigned as the days and
hour for holding the regular meetings of this
Board until otherwise ordered. Passed.
A petition was received from B. F. Sturtevant,
for leave to locate and use a steam engine and
boiler of fifty horse-power in rear of Green street,
Ward 23, and an order was passed for a hearing
thereon on Jan. 28, at four o'clock P. M.
a communication was received from the City
Clerk, giving notice of the appointment of John
T. Priest as Assistant City Clerk. Sent down.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Perkins, to
Monday, Jan. 14, at four o'clock.
< •million Council.
After the Mayor and Aldermen retired from the
Council chamber, Mi. Richardson of Ward 11 was
called to the chair. On motion of Mr. Pierce of
Ward 24, an election for President was ordered.
Messrs. Crocker of Ward 9, Mowry of Ward 11 and
Colby ot Ward 18 were appointed a committee to
collect and count votes. They reported-
Whole number of votes 69
Necessary lor a choice 35
Benjamin Pope of Ward 15 had 69
Mr. Pope was declared unanimously elected.
Messrs. Wolcott of Ward 11 and McGaragle of
Ward 8 were appointed a committee to conduct
the President-elect to the chair, which they did.
The President took the chair, and said —
For the very complimentary vote by which you
have been pleased to place me for the second
time in the position of President of the Common
Council, I tender to you my heartfelt thanks, to-
gether with the assurance that it is an honor that
I fully appreciate. While a year's experience
will lie of great service to me in having given to
me a knowledge of the routine of public business,
I do not find that it adds to my stock of self-re-
liance, for I find myself impressed with a clearer
sense of the responsibilities which rest upon
me. New questions are continually arising and
new positions display themselves unexpectedly,
which require the constant vigilance of a presid-
ing officer. I promise you my best efforts in the
performance of the duties of this office, relying
with confidence upon the continuance of the good-
will which you have nowexpressed, and upon your
indulgence'and cooperation during this municipal
year, for whatever measure of success I may
achieve. We meet here this dav to do our part
in organizing the City Government for the
municipal year which has now begun.
Elected by our fellow citizens of the wards
in which we respectively reside, as their repre-
sentatives in this Common Council, we are to act
as their proxies in the transaction of the business
of this corporation. Our duties are of a business
nature, to be performed on business principles
only. Political and party preferences should be
ignored, and personal and mercenary considera-
tions laid aside. They have no place here, and
their presence would be detrimental and
demoralizing to the transaction of business.
Our constituents who have sent us here
expect with confidence that we shall dis-
charge our duties with wisdom and fidel-
ity; that the government will be adminis-
tered with economy; that honest, faithful and
efficient officials will be retained in service, and
changes made when the public interests require
them; that heads of departments having charge
of the public work shall have more immediate
control of the men; that discipline may prevail
and greater efficiency may be obtained. While
former City Governments have been sharp-
ly criticised, while many things have
JANUARY 7, 18 78
been done from time to time which have
drawn forth unfavorable comment, while
others have been the subject of official investiga-
tion, our city has been comparatively free from
the corruption and mismanagement which have
disgraced the annals of some other important
cities. This fortunate state of affairs has been
the pride, the boast of every Bcstonian. Our
fellow citizens look to us, in connection with the
coordinate branches of the government, to main-
tain the high character of Boston as a munici-
pality and to improve the administration of pub-
lic affairs whenever it may be in our power.
Our immediate predecessors disposed of nearly
all of the important and interesting questions
which came down to them from former crty gov-
ernments, leaving but few which they were
obliged to refer to our consideration.
The most important matter which has been left
over is one which concerns the health and com-
fort of the inhabitants in the vicinity of the
Northampton-street District, it being the abate-
ment of the nuisance occasioned by the discharge
of some of the principal sewers into the Roxbury
Canal. The report of the Committee on
Health, to whom this matter was referred, is
contained in City Document No. 92, and
the order reported by the Committee on Finance
provides for a loan of $392,000 to constitute a spe-
cial appropriation to be styled the Roxbury Canal
Improvement. Another important matter is that
reported on by ttie Committee on Markets at the
session held by the Board of Aldermen on the
6th of last August. The order reported by that
committee contemplates the purchase from the
Mercantile-wharf Corporation of the lot of land
now leased to the city for the purpose of a produce
market, and containing 80,000 feet more or less, for
a sum not exceeding $320,000.
Other schemes of equal, perhaps greater magni-
tude may be developed as the year progresses,
requiring the expenditure of large sums of money.
Let us hope that we may not give our consent to
any of them unless we are clearly satisfied that
the interests of the city absolutely require them.
In this connection it appears to me that the tax-
payers are becoming somewhat concerned about
the increase of the city debt. Fortunately there is
an act passed by the Legislature of 1875 regulat-
ing and limiting municipal indebtedness. The
City Solicitor gave an opinion under date of
Dec. 3, 1877, to the effect that the limit to which
the city could incur indebtedness had been
reached within the sum of $2,783,100 since which
time have been passed orders for the widening of
Commercial street authorizing a loan of $500,000,
and for the improvement of Stony Brook at an
expense of $133,000, leaving a balance which may
yet be expended of $2,150,618. In the last report
of the City Auditor, page 7. that official speaks
emphatically in favor of the "prompt payment
of ail debts, no renewal of outstanding
loans, — care and strict economy in expenditures, —
no borrowing of money except in extreme cases."
It seems as if a feeling is growing that Boston
should be freed from the burden of debt that now
encumbers it. Of course a policy that has pre-
vailed through many years of debt accumulation
cannot at once be abandoned, but a reversal of
the policy looking toward a diminution till all
debt is eventually extinguished is a line of action
that would meet the approval of our con-
stituents. Before concluding I desire to call
your attention to a matter which I feel
that a majority of the members of the
Council will pardon me for alluding to, as it con-
cerns their comfort and occupies a prominent po-
sition in the rules and orders of this Common
Council. I mean the propensity which mem-
bers of deliberative bodies are apt to indulge in
of making long speeches. I will read an abstract
of the specific rules of the Council on this point,
as they differ somewhat from what is known as
parliamentary law and practice.
Section 16 provides that "no member having
obtained the floor shall speak more than fifteen
minutes (Sect. 17), nor more than twice if objec-
tion is made, without first obtaining leave of the
Council, nor more than once, until the otlier mem-
bers, who have not spoken, shall speak, if they so
desire."
"Section 50. On the previous question and on
the motion to lay on the table or take from the
table, a time not exceeding ten minutes shall be
allowed for debate, and no member shall speak
more than three minutes" ; and section 63— "Debate
on motions to reconsider shall be limited to thirty
minutes, and no member shall speak more than
five minutes."
I am informed that some years ago a practice
prevailed of committees making verbose and in-
terminable reports, as if their length would be
taken as a measure of the attention they had
given to the subjects which had been referred to
them. This was a cause of complaint of many
members of the Council, and I am happy to
say that of late years the evil has been
remedied. Therefore, gentlemen, let your aim be
short speeches and to the point, if you please, as
it is seldom in a business body like this that other
than these are listened to. Short speeches, and
to the point, are the ones which engage the atten-
tion, are grasped by the memory, and en-
chain the convictions of the average lis-
tener. And now, gentlemen, that we have
commenced the business of this municipal
year under pleasant auspices, with every
prospect of an harmonious session, and an intelli-
gent, conscientious discharge of all the important
duties that have been intrusted to us, so may we
invoke within ourselves the direction of the Ruler
of the universe, that he may "so prosper all our
consultations" during the continuance and to the
close of our official term.
On motion of Mr. Danforth of Ward 10, an
election was ordered for Clerk of the Common
Council. Committee to collect and count votes,
Messrs. Danforth of Ward 10, Taylor of Ward 25,
Lovering of Ward 24.
Whole number of votes 71
Necessary for a choice , , 3G
Washington P. Gregg had 71
Mr. Gregg was declared elected. The oath of
office was administered to him by John P. Healy,
City Solicitor.
Messages were received from the Board of Al-
dermen that they had organized, and proposing a
joint convention for the election of a City Clerk.
The Council concurred. Sent up.
An order came up adopting the joint rules and
orders for 1877, and appointing a special commit-
tee to prepare rules for 1878. Concurred, and
Messrs. Sibley of Ward 5, Wolcott of Ward 41 and
Colby of Ward 18 were appointed on said commit-
tee.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11 offered an order— That a
committee be appointed to inform the Board of
Aldermen that the Common Council is organized
and ready to proceed to business. Passed, and
Mr. Mowry was appointed to perform that duty.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24 offered an order for 'the
appointment of a Standing Committee of five
members of the Common Council on Elections.
Passed, and Messrs. Sampson of Ward 17, Mc-
Garagle of Ward 8, Plimpton of Ward 21, Denny
of Ward 12, and Lovering of Ward 24 were ap-
pointed said committee.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order —
That when this Council adjourn it be to Thursday
next at 7y 2 o'clock P. M., and that that be the day
and hour lor the regular meetings or the Com-
mon Council until otherwise ordered. Passed.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order That
Thursday next, at 8 P. M., be assigned as the time
for electing a Finance Committee, and for the ap-
pointment of a Nominating Committee. Passed,
and Messrs. Pierce of Ward 24, Kidney of Ward
6, Hill of Ward 14, were appointed said commit-
tee.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 offered orders— That until
otherwise ordered, the rules and orders of the
Common Council ot 1877 he adopted as the rules
and orders of this Council; and, That Messrs.
be a committee to prepare rules and orders
for the government of the Council the current
year. Severally passed, and Messrs. Siblev of
Ward 5, Wolcott of Ward 11, and Colby of Ward
18 were appointed said committee.
Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16 offered an order— That
his Honor the Mayor be requested to furnish a
copy of his address, that the same may be printed.
Passed. Sent up.
Mr. McDonald of Ward 12 offered an order —
That a joint special committee be appointed to
report what disposition shall be made of the top-
ics in the Mayor's address. Passed, and Messrs.
Crocker of Ward 9, Coe of Ward 23 andHollisof
Ward 25 were appointed on said committee.
Sent up.
Mr. Roberts of Ward 4 offered an order— That a
joint special committee, consisting of five mem-
bers of this Board, with such as the Board of Al-
dermen may join, be appointed to determine and
pay the allowance ot State aid to the families of
CITY GOVERNMENT
disabled soldiers and the families of the slain.
pursuant to existing acta of the Legislature; and
that said committee have power to employ a pay-
master and such clerical assistance as may be re-
quired tor that purpose, and that the expense
be charged to the appropriation for Soldiers' Re-
lief. Read twice and passed.
JOINT CONVENTION.
A joint convention was held at 12.10 o'clock for
the election of City Clerk, the Mayor presiding.
Alderman Faunce and Councilmen Sampson of
Ward 17 and Sibley of Ward 5 were appointed a
committee to collect and count votes. They re-
ported-
Whole number of votes 84
Necessary for a choice 43
Samuel K. McCleary hail 82
Ineligible candidate 2
And Mr. .McCleary was elected. The usual oath of
office was administered by the Mayor.
The convention then dissolved.
COMMON COUNCIL RESUMED.
Sundry petitions were presented for recounts of
viitis for Councilmen, which were referred to the
Committee on Elections.
Mr. Sampson ol Ward 17 offered an order— That
a joint special committee, consisting of five mem-
ber- of tins Hoard, with such as the Board of Al-
dermen may join, be appoi ted to take charge of
the improved system of sewerage. Passed.
Mr. Sampson offered an order tor the appoint-
ment of joint special committees to nominate the
various city oftieeis. Passed.
Mr. Brown of Ward 23 offered an order— That
live members ot the Common Council, with such
as the Board of Aldermen may join, be appointed
to take charge of the improvement ol Stony
Brook, under the provisions of chapter 196 of the
Acts of 1874, with authority to remove the ob-
structions in or over said bror.k or the tributa-
ries thereof, to direct the water, and alter the
courses, and deepen the channel thereof, and to
take and purchase such lands as may be required
for said purpose, the estimated cost thereof not to
exceed the sum of $133,000.
Amended, on motion of Mr. Crocker of Ward 9,
by striking out the last clause relating to the ap-
propriation, and as amended passed.
Mr. Coe of Ward 23 offered an order that the
joint standing committees, when appointed,
resume the unfinished business appropriate to
them referred from the last City Council. Passed.
Sent up.
Mr. Mowry ot Ward 11 offered an order— That
the heads of departments an'* Boards ot Direc-
tion be requested to submit their annual reports
in print. Passed. Sent up.
Mr. Kidney of Ward 6 offered an order— That
the Municipal Register be printed under the di-
rection of the Joint Committee on Rules and Or-
ders, who may emplov such assistance as may lie
deemed advisable, and that they also prepare a
pocket edition of the rules and a list of the mem-
bers and committees. Passed. Sent up.
Mr. Perham offered an order— That the City
Messenger be instructed to admit no person upon
the floor of the Council chamber or into the ante-
rooms ot the same who is not a member of the
(it\ Government, or persons properly int induced,
while the Couucil is in session; always excepting
those persons who are permitted by the president
of the Council.
Mr. Pierce ot Ward 24 said there was some de-
sire lor a change, and alter consultation with the
President he had prepared the following, which
he offered as a substitute:
Ordered, That the City Messenger be and he is
hereby instructed to allow no person or persons
upon the floor of the Council chamber or in the
ante-rooms of the same, excepting members ol the
City Council, heads of departments and reporters,
while the Council is in session, and after the seats
provided for spectators have been occupied.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 'J thought it might be de-
sirable to embody the idea in the rules, and on his
motion the order and substitute were relet re i to
the Committee on Rules and Orders
On moi inn of Mr. McDonald of Ward 12, Thurs-
day at 8.15 was assigned as t lie tune for election
of a Committee on Accounts, and Ale-sis. Sibley
of Ward 5, Sampson of Ward 17 and McDonald of
Ward 12 were appointed a committee to make
nomination-.
Mr. Thompson of Ward i) offered an order —
That a joint special committee, consisting of
three members of this Board, with such as the
Board of Aldermen may join, be appointed to
take charge ot all matters of unfinished business
relating to public parks. Passed.
Mi. Richardson of Ward 10 offered an order-
That the Joint Special Committee on Improved
Sewerage inquire and report to the City Council
the most expedient way of abating the nuisance
in Roxbury Canal; whether, if all sewage and
drainage matter he diverted and excluded from
it, and the canal thoroughly dredged out, the
nuisance would longer exist; and whether any
other or lurther act or authority 1 imu the General
Court is desirable or necessary to enable the city
to abate that nuisance. Passed. Sent up.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 presented a petition of
Ansel J. Harris el al. tor plank walk on Black-
stone square. Referred to Committee on Com-
mon when appointed. Sent up.
On motion of Mr. Burke of Ward 2 the drawing
for seats took place, after which the Council ad-
journed.
COMMON COUNCIL.
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 10, 1878.
Regular meeting at 7.30 o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the chair.
PAPEK FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Certificate of election of Committee on Ac-
counts. Placed on file.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITV OFFI-
CERS.
The report of fires and alarms for the month of
December was received from the Fire Commis-
sioners. Sent up.
The Auditor's monthly exhibit of the appropria-
tions for Jan. 1 was received. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Hill of Ward 14— Petition of Dudley Pray
et al., for recount of votes in Ward 13. Referred
to the Committee on Electious.
By Mr. Spencelev of Ward 19— Petition of Dex-
ter H. Follett to be paid for services of field and
staff of First Battalion of Cavalry on Sept. 17,
1877. Referred to Joint Committee on Claims.
Sent up.
By Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— Petition of C. M.
Winch et al., for a recount of votes in Ward 16.
Referred to the Committee on Elections.
RECOUNTS OF VOTES.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 submitted reports
from the Committee on Elections as follows :
Ward 20. Report on petition of W. E. Wood-
ward et al., for a recount of the votes cast in
Ward 20, that they have carefully recounted the
same with the following result:
William E. Whicher 1259
Thomas E. Wilson 1 137
Paul H. Keudricken 1130
Plbenezer Adams 1094
Thomas F. Currier 1076
Nathan S. Wilbur 932
Paul H. Kendrickson 3
E. Wilson 2
Wilson 1
D. Restorice 1
Edward A. Kilham 1
George E. Bullard 1
H. Kendricken 1
Samuel J. Tuttle 1
Charles A.B. Shepard 1
Henry J. Slavin 1
It appears, therefore, thttt William E. Whicher,
Thomas E. Wilson and Paul H. Kendricken were
elected members of the Common Council, and
that Ebenezer Adams, who received a certificate
of election and now occupies his seat at this
board, was not elected. The committee recom-
mend the passage of the following:
Whereas, It appears from a recount of the origi-
nal ballots cast at the last municipal election in
Ward 20, that Thomas E. Wilson was elected a
member of the Common Council from said ward
in place of Ebenezer Adams, who received a cer-
tificate of election:
Resolved, That Thomas E. Wilson is entitled to
the seat in this board now occupied by Ebenezer
Adams.
The resolve was read twice and passed. Subse-
quently, on motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17,
that gentleman was appointed a committee to
conduct Mr. Wilson to the City Clerk to be quali-
fied, which was done, and Mr. Wilson took his seat
in the Council.
Ward 7. Report on petition of James Golden
el al., for a recount of votes cast at the last munic-
ipal election in Ward 7, that they have recounted
the original ballots, with the following result:
Alexander B. McGahey 1501
Richard Roach 1140
Peter Cannon 769
Thomas F. Simonds • 597
E. Edward Dohertv v 529
James J. McGovem 418
John A. McLaughlin 282
PatrickJ. McDermott 177
Milton A. Kent 153
From which it appears that the members now
occupying seats at this board are entitled to the
same. Accepted.
Ward 8. Report on petition of John F. Murphy
etal., lor recount of votes in Ward 8, that they
have recounted the original ballots, with the fol
lowing result:
Patrick F. McGaragle 1140
Dennis O'Connor 857
Lemuel M. Ham 797
Michael F.Wells 769
Jacob Abbot 670
Charles E. Clark 354
Jeremiah A. Keefe 187
Hames Christal 74
James H. Christal 24
William H.Cook 2
And Fred Cook, C. H. B. Jtsreck, E. W. James,
Charles W. Wilder, George E. Peterson, T. F. Tan-
sey, John W. Martin and — Clark had one
each. From which it appears that the members
now occupying seats at this board are entitled to
the same. Accepted.
Ward 3. Report on petition of George A. San-
derson and others, for a recount of votes cast in
Ward 3 for Nathaniel D. Toppa^ and James J.
O'Keefe, that the original ballots have been re-
counted, with the following result:
Nathaniel D. Toppan 911
James J. O'Keefe 858
From which it appears that Nathaniel D. Toppan,
who now occupies a seat at this board, is entitled
to the same. Accepted.
Ward 25. Report on petition of James H. Lee
and John J. Coffey and others, that the votes cast
in Ward 25 be recounted, that they have recount-
ed the same, with the following result:
George W. Hollis 584
Jacob F. Taylor 558
JohnH.Lee 516
Webster F. Warren 421
John A. Sawyer 71
And Z. Taylor Cushman, George B. Livermore, G.
H. Hawle,), William Scollans, Thomas Ring, Lar-
kin Right and B. S. Fiske one each; from which
it appears that The members occupying seats at
this board are entitled to the same. Accepted.
JOINT RULES AND ORDERS.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 submitted the following:
The Joint Special Committee appointed to pre-
pare rules and orders for the government of the
City Council during the present municipal year,
having considered the subject, would respectful-
ly recommend that the following changes be
made in the rules and orders of the last City
Council, namely :
Section 1. Increasing the number of the Com-
mittee on Salaries from five to eight members.
Sect. 5. Add the following, "And at all meet-
ings of committees the records of the previous
meeting shall be read, unless otherwise ordered
by the committee."
Sect. 6. Add the following : "No meeting of any
committee snail be called upon less notice than
twenty-four hours, without the consent of all the
members thereof."
Sect. 9. Amend so that it will read as follows:
"No report of a joint committee shall be received
by either branch of the City Council uuless agreed
to by such committee, at a duly notified meeting
thereof."
Sect. 14. Strike out all after the word "assem-
bled" in the fourth line of the pocket edition, and
inserting the following:
"No order or vote which, if passed, would have
the effect to amend, suspend, or repeal an ordi-
nance, shall be entertained in either branch of the
City Council, unless it is in the form of an ordi-
nance."
Sect. 19. Amend to read as follows : "No presid-
ing officer of a board, or chairman of a commit-
tee, unless duly authorized by such board or com-
mittee, shall approve any bill or account against
the city."
Sect. 20. Strike out the section and insert the
following in place thereof : "Section 20. No bills
for refreshments or carriages furnished to any
member of the City Government shall be paid,
unless s-uch bills shall specify, in detail, the names
of the members to whom such refreshments or
carriages were furnished, the dates of furnishing
the same, and shall be approved by the presiding
officer of a board or the chairman of a committee
duly authorized thereto.
The presiding officer of a board or chairman of
a committee shall not approve any bill tor refresh-
ments which includes among its items liquors or
cigars, or any bill for refreshments furnished to
any person not a member of such board or com-
mittee, unless specially authorized so to do by
vote of such board or committee."
Sect. 21. Amend to read as follows: "All bills
for refreshments or carriages, including items in-
curred more than three months previous to the
date of their presentation to the Auditor, shall
go before the City Council for approval."
COMMON COUNCIL,
The accompanying order covers the proposed
changes, and your committee would respectfully
recommend its passage.
Respectfully submitted,
Clinton Vi i
Cn aki.ks R, .Mi l.i \ \.
Edwix Sihley.
Roger Woi.ihh .
John F. Coli;\ .
Accompanying tbe report was an order estab-
lishing the rules in accordance with the recom-
mendations of the committee.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 asked Mr. Sibley to ex-
plain the changes and Mr. Sibley said they were
all indicated in the report.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 hoped they would not
be passed tonight, as no member had had an op-
portunity to look at them to see how they affect
the present rules and orders, and he moved that
the consideration ot them be specially assigned to
next Thursday evening at eisrht o'clock.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 approved the assign-
ment, in the Committee on Claims, where all the
evidence is taken down and forms a part of the
records, the reading of the records at every meet-
ing would be a nuisance. Any one who has
served upon that committee could not but be con-
vinced of its uselessness.
Mr. Sibley said the rule left that subject entire-
ly in tbe hands of the committee. The records
are to be read unless otherwise ordered by the
committee.
The motion to specially assign prevailed.
COMMITTEE ON Accol NTS.
Mr. Sibley of W ard 5 submitted a report from
the special committee to nominate candidates for
Committee on Accounts, recommending the elec-
tion of Roger Wolcott, Coolidge Barnard, John A.
Kidney, Story N. Sawyer, Nathaniel .1. Rust.
Accepted.
Subsequently the election came up by special
assignment.
Committee to Collect and Count Votes— Messrs.
Mowrv of Ward 11, McGeough of Ward 13, Hib-
bard of Ward 17.
Whole number of votes 66
Necessary for a choice 34
Roj;er Wolcott had 65
Coolidge Barnard 66
John A Kidney 66
Henrv N. Sawyer 66
Nat haniel .1 . Rust 66
Also two ballots containing tbe committee's
nominations tor Finance Committee.
The gentlemen above named were declared
elected.
secrecy OF COMMITTEES' PROCEEDINGS.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24 offered an order— That
the action of committees shall be kept trom the
public until the committees have reported to the
City Council.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— If we are going to make
a rule of that kind it ou^ht to l.e in our joint
rules and not in a special order. If we propose to
make a rule of that sort I think the proper way is
to have a joint rule applying to all committees. 1
move that it be referred to the Committee on Joint
Rules and Orders.
The motion prevailed. Sent up.
DOCl MINIS lOlt ME.MliERS OK THE CITY GOV-
ERNMENT.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order-
That the Citv Messenger be and he is hereby or-
dered to send to the address of each member of
the City Council conies o' the city documeuts, as
they mav be issued; also that he provide an index
to the documents, as they shall tie placed upon
file, upon the desks of members of the City
Council.
Mr. Spenceley— The explanation of that is that
documeuts shall be sent to the address of mem-
bers of the City Council, that members may have
an opportunity to look over them at home or at
their places of" business, which we cannot do here
as well as many of us would like to do. Take this
report on joint rules, If we had had an opportu-
nity to look at it at our homes we might have been
prepared to act upon it tonight. In relation to
the last part of the order, gentlemen know that
when there is a large file of documents upon the
desk it is often hard to find what you want, and
by having an index you can do so more readily.
Mr. Crocker— Is it proposed to have an index
trom time to time during the year?
Mr. Spenceley— He proposes to put in blank
pages in the first part of the book and note the
documents down as they come in.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent up.
ROXIitRI (ANAL.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11 offered an order— That
the Committee on the Judiciary obtain from the
City Solicitor a written statement of the city's
rights, if any, in and to that portion of the Rox-
bury Canal which it is proposed to till; said state-
ment to furnish information as to what extent the
city may fill said canal without incurring dam-
ages therefor.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I don't see any
harm in that order, but that subject has been re-
ferred to the Special Committee on Improved
Sewerage, and 1 suppose that committee, in the
discharge of their duty, under the order passed at
the last session, if they thought it desirable, could
get the opinion of the law officer of the city.
However, I have no objection to the order, if it is
more desirable to have it at the request of the
Council.- 1 mention this because I did n't know
but possibly the gentleman might have forgotten
the order passed at our last session.
Mr. Mowry— I remember very well the order in-
troduced by the gentleman at the last session. It
has reference to a subject entirely different from
the one to which this order refers. This one has
reference to the legal rights which the city may
have in the portion of the canal which it is pro-
posed to till up. His order has reference to the
expediency of this or that nlan of abating the
nuisance. * This order in nowise clashes with tbe
one introduced at the last session; but it is intro-
duced so that when the question comes before the
Council we may know what the legal rights of the
city are in that portion of the canal which it is
proposed to fill.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I have no objection
to tbe order, although I thought that in the de-
termination of the best method of ahating that
nuisance, the committee would undoubtedly take
into consideration the legal rights of the city in
and about the canal. 1 do not object to Its pas-
sage if it is desirable.
Mr. Mowry— The committee the gentleman re-
fers to would have no right to obtain the infor-
mation which this order contemplates. This
matter comes within the jurisdiction of the Judi-
ciary Committee, who are to ascertain the opin-
ion of the City Solicitor upon all le^al questions.
It would not be within the province of the com-
mittee he refers to to ascertain what the city's
legal rights are within this canal.
The order was passed.
RILES AND ORDERS Of THE COMMON OOl N'< IL.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 6 submitted tne following:
The committee appointed to prepare rules and
orders tor the government of the Common Coun-
cil for the year 1878, having considered the sub-
ject, would respectfully recommend that the rules
and orders ot the Council for 1S77. as printed in
the municipal register for that year, be adopted
as the rules and orders for the government of
this Council, with the following amendments,
namely:
After section 17 insert a new section, as follows:
"In all cases when the time has expired of a mem-
ber speaking and is extended by vote of the Con u-
cil, it shall beheld to be extended only lor an addi-
tional period equal to that which the member was
entitled before such vote.
After section 32i> insert a new section, as fol-
lows: "If. shall be the duty of the City Messen-
ger to see that no person or persons are allowed
upon the floor of the Council' Chamber, or in the
anterooms of the same, while the Council is in
session, and after the seats provided for specta-
tors have been occupied, exceping members ot
the City Council, heads of departments and re-
porters."
In section 29 strike out the word "select," and
insert the word "special" in place thereof.
Strike out the whole of section 30.
In section 31 insert the words "appointed by the
President" after the word "Council" in the' first
line.
In section 35 strike out the words "in committee
assembled," and insert the words "by such com-
mittee at a duly notified meeting thereof" in place
thereof.
In section 30, strike out the words "may be re-
quired to," and insert the word "shall" in place
thereof; also strike out the word"to," in the third
line.
In section 44 insert the words "who are requir-
ed" after the word "officer."
In section 50 strike out the word "select"
wherever it occurs, and insert the word "special"
in place thereof.
JANUAKY 10, 1878
6
In section 65 strike out the word "he," in the
third line, and insert the words "a member" in
place thereof. In the fourth line, after the word
"hours," strike out the word "of" and insert the
wo'd "after" in place thereof. In the fifth line,
after the word "he" insert the words "or in case
he shall not move to withdraw his motion, any
other member."
Your committee make no recommendation on
the orders referred to them in relation to the use
of the floor and anterooms of the Council Cham-
ber by outside persons, but as will be seen by the
foregoing, a new section in the rules and orders
covering the ground, has been reported.
On motion of Mr. Sibley the report and accom-
panying orders were laid on the table and ordered
to be printed.
CREW OF THE FIRE BOAT.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8 offered the following:
Ordered, That the Fire Commissioners be au-
thorized to reinstate the rations to the crew of
the fire-boat William M. Flanders.
Referred, on motion of Mr. McGaragle, to the
Joint Committee on Fire Department. Sent up.
WORK FOR DESTITUTE CITIZENS.
Mr. Roach of Ward 7 offered an order— That
Messrs. , with such as the Board of Alder-
men may join, be a committee to consider the
expedience of providing such work as may be ad-
vantageously done at this season of the year, for
resident citizens, destitute and unable to obtain
employment.
Read twice and uassed, and Messrs. Roach of
Ward 7, Thompson of Ward 9 and Cox of Ward 15
were appointed on said committee. Sent up.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24 submitted a report
from the special committee to nominate candi-
dates for Finance Committee on the part of the
Common Council, recommending the election of
Eugene H. Sampson, J. Homer Fierce, Moses W.
Richardson, Henry F. Coe, George L. Thorndike,
George B. Webster, Francis J. Ward. Accepted.
Later in the session the election of said com-
mittee wus taken up by special assignment. ■
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24— In justice to the nomi-
nating committee I feel called upon to state that
the nomination maae by the committee was unani-
mous. Since we came into the ball this evening
we have discovered another ticket hearing the
name of Mr. J. B.Richardson in place of Mr. M. W.
Richardson. I have learned that this ticket was
brought in on account of some personal feeling.
I hope the nominations will be accepted and the
ticket elected.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— In consequence of the
remarks made by the chairman of the Nominating
Comrniitee, I ieel called upon to make a personal
explanation. I find myself in City Hall this year
against my own expressed wishes. I have had
the honor of serving three years upon the Finance
Committee of the city of Boston, for which I re-
turn my sincere thanks to my fellow members
who ha\e elected me. When you appointed the
committee to nominate a Committee on Finance,
1 waited upon the chairman and stated that I did
not wish to serve upon that committee, and men-
tioned the fact that I was not a candidate. I had
the honor t > wait upon you, sir, and ask to be re-
lieved 1 rom certain duties. As you well know, I per-
formed a great deal of duty last year, and vou
allowed me to be relieved from service upon the
Committee o Claims this year. I now have the
honor to ask the Council to excuse me from serv-
ing upon the Finauce Committee this year, and I
trust that gentlemen will oblige me in that way.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17— Under the existing
circumstances, I move that this election be post-
poned one week, and that the nominations be re-
committed to the committee.
Mr. Barry of Ward 22— Unless the gentleman
can give some better reason than that, I hope the
special assignment lor the next meeting will not
be made, but that we shall proceed with an elec-
tion this evening.
Mr. Hibbard— I don't know any reason I can
give except that the gentleman has declined to
serve, and I think the best thing thac can be done,
under the circumstances, is to send the nomina-
tions back to the committee.
The motion to assign the election to the next
meeting, and recommit the nominations to the
committee, prevailed.
Later in the session Mr. Richardsou of Ward 10
rose to a question of privilege and sa'.d, In view
of the appearance of my name upon a ticket for
the Committee on Finance, I desire to say— what
many members of the Council already know-
that it was a surprise to me, and 1 had no knowl-
edge of it until I came into the Council chamber
this evening. Inasmuch as the nominations have
been referred back to the committee, I should not
say anything except for the remarks already
made here, which might be construed as some-
thing unfavorable to myself, if I were utterly si-
lent. I will therefore simply say that I decline to
run upon any ticket not nominated by the com-
mittee appointed to make the nominations.
BADGES.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— This is a very dull
night, and as it is raining considerably outside, I
desire to offer tne annual wraneje in the shape of
this order:
Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor be request-
ed to appoint the members of the Common Coun-
cil police officers without pav, and that Messrs
be a committee to procure suitable badges'
for the same, the expense attending the same not
to exceed five dollars each ; and to be charged to
the appropriation for the Contingent Fund of the
Common Council.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 move the indefinite
postponement of that order. It is one which has
been introduced year after vear, and I have op-
posed it year after year. It is intended to gratify
the personal vanity of members, and I think that
in times like these we can afford to forego that
pleasure. I have not taken a badge for three
years, and I trust that no member will take one
this year.
Mr. McGaragle— I hope the order will not be in-
definitely postponed. I introduce it thus early in
hopes that members might consider it. I was not
going to press its passage tonight; hut unless
that he has been an opponent of badges
some better and more substantial reason is
given than that offered by the gentleman—
for three years— I hope it will pass, for
at least I think we should have some better and
stronger grounds. Shortly after the opening last
year I had the honor to offer this order, and after
a lengthy and stormy debate for several evenings
it was finally carried. Times were hard then, and
are now; but there were fifty-eight responses to
the notice that the committee sent, which I con-
sider a pretty fair showing for this body. One-
half of the membeis this vear are new members
who have never been here before, and I don't
wish by my vote to deprive them of a badge, or
an old member, if he wishes it. Therefore, I hope
the order will pass.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11— I hope the order will
not pass. I concur with the remarks of the gen-
tleman from Ward 17. There seem to be no valid
reasons tor passing this order and makino- this
appropriation. I contested the same order last
year, and I shall do so this vear. If I could see the
least good to result from the appropriation, I
would not oppose it.
Mr. Hill of Ward 14-1 wish to say a word for
one of the new members— this being my first ap-
pearance here. I hope I shall always be ready to
speak against spending any money that is 'not
necessary, and I hope this Council will not spend
any money for badges. I think it is too much
child's play tor grown men. It will be spending
money for something of which there is no earthly
use. I hope it will be indefinitely postponed
Mr. Flynn of Ward 16 moved to lay the order on
the table.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17-1 hope that dispo-
sition will not be made of the order. We know
what has been done, and how it has been rushed
through year after year, and I trust it will be in-
definitely postponed.
The motion to lay on the table was lost.
The motion to indefinitely postpone was declared
carried.
Mr. McGaragle doubted the vote, and on his
motion the yeas and nays were ordered on solv-
ing the doubt. The motion to indefinitely post-
pone was carried— yeas 44, nays 23.
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Krawlev, Brown, X Y
Brintnall, Clapp, Colby, Crocker. Danforth, Dev-
lin, Drynan, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hollis. Howland,
Kendricken, Lauten, McGahev, MeGeough, Mow-
ry, O'Connor, Pierce, Plimpton, ,7. B. Richardsou,
M. W. Richardson, Roberts. Rosnosky, Rust
E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson, Saotr'v, H N
Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Sibley, Smith. Spenceley, J
F. Taylor, J. Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward
Wilson, Wolcott, Wyman- 44.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, B. Brintnall, Burke. Can-
non, Day, Denny. Dohertv. Fernald. Flvnn, Kel-
ley, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, McGaragle.
Mullaue, Mullen, Nason, Pearl, Perham, Roach,
Shepard, Whicher. Woolley— 23.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Absent or uot voting— Messrs. Coe, Cox, Thorn-
dike, Webster— 4.
Subsequently Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved a
reconsideration of the indefinite postponement,
hoping it would not prevail.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2— It seems to me that is
rather cowardly, to make that motion at the pres-
ent time. If there is any merit in that motion I
suppose it will be safe enough. I don't see any
necessity for reconsidering the vote. It is a well-
known fact that most of the members of this
Council who have been here before have received
badges and worn them. There are a great many
new members who perhaps would like a badge. I
have had two badges; I don't want one, but if any
members want badges I think they should have
them. 1 anybody wants to reconsider that vote
let him do it. It a majority of the Council don't
want badges, let them say so. I don't think it is
right to make the motion at the present time.
Air. Sampson of Ward 17—1 fail to see where the
cowardice comes in. The Council have just voted
by a decided majority to indefinitely postpone the
order, and in order to settle it I moved a recon-
sideration, hoping it would not prevail. 1 think
the Council are determined not to have badges
this year, and as that is a decision which I heart-
ily approve I moved the reconsideration.
Mr. McGaragle— I offered the order. If the gen-
tleman, with his long legislative experience, will
tell me how things are rushed through here, I
should move a reconsideration. I offered the or-
der from no personal motive. I offered it as the
annual wrangle, and I don't care much about it
one way or the other; but I am iree to say that I
am willing to vote to give any man what I have
had myself. 1 think it is rather rushing it, when
the vote stood two to one. I think the gentleman
from East Boston has correctly termed it cow-
ardly.
Mr Sampson of Ward 17— If that is the right
term, I accept it and call it cowardly. I hope the
Council will again express '.heir opinion against
the order.
The motion to reconsider was lost.
sivmiim; A M) SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
The 1'resident announced the followiug com-
mittees:
dominating Committees.
Overseers of the Poor— Bi intnall of Ward 5,
Flynn of Ward 16, Toppan of Ward 3.
Superintendents of Bridges — Fernald of Ward
15, Rowland of Ward 5, Ward ot Ward 21.
Harbor .Master— Mullen of Ward 13, Woolley of
Ward 1, Di yuan of Ward 6.
Superintendent of streets — Perhaui of Ward 23,
Day of Ward 4, Taylor ot Ward 25.
Superintendent of Common— Sibley of Wards,
Mullane of Ward 12, Devlin ol Ward 13.
Superintendent of Public Buildings -Brown of
Ward 23, Briutnall ol \\ aid 3, Ham oi Ward 8.
Superintendent ot Public Lands— Cox of Ward
15, Kelley ot Ward 6, Mason ot Ward 17.
City Architect— Soenceley of Ward 19, Sawyer
of Ward 24, Danforth of Ward 10.
Superintendent of Sewers— Pearl of Ward 1,
Hollis of Ward 26, Clapp Ol Ward 14.
City Messenger— Sampson of Ward 17, Crocker
of Ward 9, McGaragle of Ward 8.
City Engineer— Webster of Ward 3, Whicber ot
Ward 20, Doherty of Ward 2.
City Surveyor— Thorndike of Ward 2, Roach of
Ward 7, Sawyer of Ward 18.
Citv Registrar— Sibley ol Ward 5, Burke of Ward
2, Hiil ot Ward 14.
City Solicitor— Crocker of Ward 9, Mowry of
Ward 11, Colby Of Ward is.
Water Registrar — Richardson of Ward 10, Barry
Of Ward 22, Santry of Ward 19
Commissioner ol Cedar Grove Cemetery— Pierce
of Ward 24, Denny of Ward 12, Keudricken of
Ward 20.
Directors For Public Institutions— Speuceley of
Ward 1!), Brown of Ward 23, Burke ot Ward 2.
Directors for Bast Boston Ferries— Roberts of
Ward 4. McDonald of Ward 12, Shepard of Ward 1.
Trustees ot City Hospital— Hibbard of Ward 17,
Lauten of Ward 14, Brawley ot Ward 19.
Trustees of Public Library— Sibley of Ward 5,
Barnard of Ward 24, Smith of Ward 9.
Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetery— Hill of Ward
14, Cannon ot Ward 7, Cox of Ward 15.
Commissioners of Sinking Funds — Sampson of
Wait! 17, Richardson of Ward 11, McGeough of
Ward 13.
City Auditor— Coe of Ward 23, Plimpton of
Ward 21, Lovering of Ward 4.
City Treasurer— Richardson of Ward 11, Thomp-
son of Ward 9, W T yman of Ward 21.
City Collector— Wolcott of Ward 11, Taylor of
Ward 1G, O'Connor of Ward 8.
Clerk of Committees— Kidney of Ward 6, Rust
of Ward 10, Sampson of Ward 18.
Weighers and Inspectors of Lighters— Woolley
of Ward 1, Rosnosky of Ward 16, McGahey of
Ward 7.
Joint Standing and Special Committees.
Assessors' Department— Richardson of Ward 11,
Thorndike of Ward 2, Kidney of Ward 6, Hill of
Ward 14, Wyman of Ward 21.
Claims— Richardson of Ward 10, Mowrv of Ward
11, McDonald ot Ward 12, Sampson of Ward 18,
Plimpton of Ward 21.
Common, etc. — Siblev of Ward 5, Danforth of
Ward 10, Hibbard of Ward 17, Flynn ot Ward 16,
Mullane of Ward 12.
City Engineer's Department— Brintnall of Ward
Barry of Ward 22, Woolley of Ward 1.
City Registrar's Department— Whicher of Ward
20, Rosnosky of Ward 16, Hollis of Ward 25.
East Boston Ferries — Burke of Ward 2, Roberts
of Ward 4, Roach of Ward 7, Wilson of Ward 20,
Ham of Ward 8.
Fire Department— Spenceley of Ward 19, Burke
of Ward 2, Cannon of Ward 7.
Fuel— Flynn of Ward 16, O'Connor of Ward 8,
McGahey of Ward 7.
Harbor— Bainaid of Ward 24, Mullen of Ward
13, Drinan of Ward 0.
Health Department^Sibk-y of Ward 5, Cox of
Ward 15, Perham of Ward 23."
City Hospital— Mullen of Ward 13, Tappan of
Ward 3, Kendricken of Ward 20.
Legislative Matters— Mowry ot Ward 11, Shep-
ard of Ward 1, McGeough ot Ward 13.
Mt. Hope and Cedar Grove Cemeteries— Saw-
yer of Ward 24. Whicher of Ward 20, Smith of
Ward 9.
Ordinances— Crocker of Ward 9, Thompson of
Ward 9, Richardson of Ward 10, Wolcott of Ward
11, Colby of Ward 18.
Overseers ot the Poor— Mullane of Ward 12,
Doherty ot Ward 2, O'Connor ot Ward 8.
Printing— Pierce of Ward 24, Sawyer of Ward 18,
Devlin of Ward 13.
Public Baths-Pearl of Ward 1, Fei nald ot Ward
15, Howl and ot Ward 5, Ham of Ward 8, Devlin ot
Ward 13
Public Buildings— Spenceley of Ward 19, Pearl
of Ward 1, Barry or Ward 22, Clapp of Ward 14,
Brintnall of Ward 3.
Public Institutions— Brown of Ward 23, Roi erts
ol Ward 4, Sawyer ot Ward 18, Woolley of Ward 1,
McGeough ol W aid 13.
Public Instruction— Coe of Ward 23, Wolcott of
Ward 11, Webster ol Ward 3, Rust of Ward 10.
Public Lands— Crocker of Ward 9, Danforth of
\\ aid 10, NaSOD ot Ward 17.
Public Library— Webster of Ward 3, Barnard of
\\ aril 24, Hill of Ward 14, Nason of Ward 17, Ken-
dricken of Ward 20.
Salaries— McDonald of Ward 12, Rust of Ward
in, Toppan ot Ward 3.
Streets— Pernam of Ward 23, Day of Ward 4,
Brintnall of Ward 5, Lauten of Ward 14, Shepard
of Ward 1.
City Surveyors' Department— Taylor of Ward 16,
Smith of Ward 9, Hollis of Ward 25.
Survey and Inspection of Buildings— McGaragle
of Ward 8. Brawley of Ward 19, Santry of Ward 19.
Treasury Department— Ricbarrtson of Ward li,
Wyman oi Ward 21, Sampson of Ward 18.
Water— Wilson ol Ward 20, Rosnosky of Ward
16, Brawley of Ward 19.
Public Parks— Thompson of Ward 9, Coe of
Ward 23, Ward of Ward 81.
Impioved Sewerage— Sampsou of Ward 17,
Thorndike of Ward 2, Pierce of Ward 24, Day of
Ward 4, Richardson of Ward 10.
Stony Brook— Brown of Ward 23, Ward of Ward
21, Taylor of Ward 25, Santry ot Ward 19, Taylor
of Ward 16.
State Aid- Hibbard of Ward 17, Doheity of
Ward 2, Kelly of Ward 6, Roach of Ward 7,
Loveing ot Ward 4.
Standing Committees, Common Council.
Police— Cannon of Ward 7, Kelley of Ward 6,
Brintnall ot Ward 3, Clapp of Ward 14, Denny of
Ward 12. „
Paving— Fernald of Ward 15, Lauten of Ward
14, Howland of Ward 5. Drinan of Ward 6, Mc-
Gahev of Ward 7.
Judiciary-Crocker of Ward 9, Thompson of
Warn 9, Richardson of Ward 10, Wolcott of Ward
11, Colbv of Ward 18.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward
19.
BOA^u of A-L.dje:rm:en
8
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceeding's of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 14, 1878.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. M., his
Honor the Mayor in the chair.
STANDING RULES OF THE BOARD.
Alderman Harris submitted a report from the
committee to examine the rules and orders adopt-
ed on the 7th inst. — That no alterations are needed
iD said rules and orders. Accepted.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD.
The Mayor said that, in accordance with the
rules just adopted, he would announce the follow-
ing standing committees of the Board of Alder-
men:
Armories— Aldermen Slade, Harris, Perkins.
Bridges— Aldermen Harris, McLean, Whiton.
County Accounts— Aldermen Harris, Guild, Hay-
den.
Faneuil Hall and County BuildiDgs — Aldermen
Slade, Whidden, McLean.
Lamps— Aldermen Whiton, Peri- ins, Faunce.
Licenses — Aldermen Stebbins, Guild, Faunce.
Markets, Weights and Measures — Aldermen
Slade, Viles, Harris.
Paving— Aldermen Whidden, Slade, Robinson.
Police— Aldermen Viles, Robinson, Whiton.
Sewers — Aldermen Viles, Harris, Hayden.
Steam Engines — Aldermen McLean, Whidden,
Slade.
Streets — Aldermen Perkins, Harris, Hayden.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Paving. Petitions for
leave to move wooden buildings, by John Devine,
from Keyes street to rear of same street, Ward 23;
by M. Ellis & Co , Irom 331 Princeton street to 388
Bennington street, Wardl.
Mary Sullivan, for an abatement of the edge-
stone assessment of $7.50 on estate 353 East Eighth
street. Edwin R. Frost, for leave to erect a post
in sidewalk 109-113 Devonshire street; John J.
Garrity et al., that the name of Morni court be
changed to Grafton street; R. T. Paine, Jr., that
Ruggles street be graded.
Cambridge Railroad Company, for leave to ex-
tend their location to Milk street.
To the Committee to Nominate Harbor Master.
Daniel Baker, for appointment as Harbor Master.
To the Joint Committee on Public Lands. Wil-
liam Corbett, for leave to cancel his present bond
for land on Chapman street and for the issue of a
new bond.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM THE COMMON
COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Order requesting a copy of the Mayor's Address
for publication. Passed in concurrence.
Order for publication of Municipal Register,
etc. Passed in concurrence.
Order authorizing boards of government and
heads of departments to present their annual re-
ports in print. Passed in concurrence.
Order for joint standing committees to resume
the unfinished business of the last year. Passed
in concurrence.
Order for City Messenger to provide copies of
city documents, when issued, to members of the
City Council, and to issue indexes for the same.
Passed in concurrence.
Order that the action of committees be not
made public until reported to either branch of
City Council. Referred to Committee on Joint
Rules aud Orders in concurrence.
Auditor's exhibit ot the condition of the several
appropriations on Jan. 1, 1878, (City Doc. No. 4),
and report of Fire Commissioners on number and
character of alarms of tire in December, 1877.
Severally placed on file.
An order for the Fire Commissioners to restore
the rations to the crew of the fire boat came up to
be referred to Committee on Fire Department.
Alderman Stebbins said that before the order was
even referred, it would be well to hear from the
Fire Commissioners the reasons which leu to the
change. On his motion the order was laid on the
table, and he offered the following, which was
passed :
Ordered, That the Fire Commissioners he re-
quested to communicate to the City Council their
opinion as to the value and efficiency of the fire
boat, and also the reasons for discontinuing the
allowance for rations to the crew of said boat.
Sent down.
An order came down for Committee on Im-
proved Sewerage to consider the subject of abat-
ing the nuisance in the Roxbury Canal, and to in-
quire if any further legislation is needed. Laid
on the table, on motion of Alderman Stebbins, who
offered the following, which was passed:
Ordered, That the City Solicitor be requested to
communicate to the City Council whether, in his
opinion, the Board of Health are vested by law
with ample power to abate any nuisance detri-
mental to the public health which may exist in
the so-called "Roxbury Canal."
Sent down.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
Orders came up for the appointment of the sev-
eral joint standing committees, in which the
Board concurred and the committees were joined
as follows:
Assessors' Department — Aldermen Hayden,
Guild, Faunce.
Bathing — Aldermen Robinson, Whidden, Whit-
on.
Claims — Aldermen Stebbins, Harris, Faunce.
Common— Alriermen Guild, Slade, Whiton.
East Boston Ferries— Aldermen McLean, Viles,
RobiDSon.
Engineer's Department — Aldermen Robinson,
Whidden.
Fire Department — Aldermen Perkins, Hayden.
Fuel— Aldermen Hayden, Whiton.
Harbor — Aldermen Harris, McLean.
Health— Aldermen Viles, Perkins.
City Hospital- Aldermen Faunce, Whiton.
Public Institutions— Aldermen Whiton, Hayden,
Perkins.
Legislative Matters— Aldermen Stebbins, Har-
ris.
Mt. Hope Cemetery— Aldermen Faunce, Guild.
Ordinances — Aldermen Guild, Faunce, Hayden.
Overseers of Poor — Aldermen Harris, McLean.
Public Buildings— Aldermen Slade, Whidden,
McLean.
Public Instruction — Aldermen Hayden, Slade,
Guild.
Public Lands— Aldermen Faunce, Robinson.
Printing— Aldermen Guild, Viles.
Public Library— Aldermen Perkins, Faunce,
Whiton.
City Registrar's Department— Aldermen Viles,
Perkins.
Salaries — Aldermen Whidden, Stebbins.
Streets — Aldermen Perkins, Harris, Hayden.
Surveyor's Department — Aldermen Faunce,
Guild.
Survey and Inspection of Buildings — Aldermen
McLeas", Viles.
Treasury Department— Aldermen Whiton, Hay-
den.
Water— Aldermen Whiton, Robinson.
JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
Orders came from the other branch for the ap-
pointment of joint special committees, which
were passed in concurrence, and the committees
were joined as follows :
Improved Sewerage— Aldermen Whidden, Steb-
bins, Slade.
Stony Brook— Aldermen Robinson, Viles, Mc-
Lean.
Public Parks — Aldermen Guild, Faunce.
State Aid.— Aldermen McLean, Slade, Hayden.
Mayor's Address— Aldermen Whidden, McLean.
To see what can be done to provide employment
for destitute resident citizens— Aldermen Whid-
den, Guild.
NOMINATING COMMITTEES.
An order came up tor joint special committees
to nominate candidates tor the various city of-
fices, in which the Board concurred, and the com-
mittees were joined as follows:
Overseers ot Poor— Aldermen Harris, McLean.
9
BOARD OF ALDREMEN
Clerk of Committees— Aldermen Perkins, Hay-
den.
Harbor Master— Aldermen Harris, McLean.
Superintendents of Bridges— Aldermen Whiton,
McLean.
Superintendent of Streets— Aldermen Whidden,
Slade.
Superintendent of Common, etc. — Aldermen
Slade. McLean.
Superintendent of Public Lands — Aldermen
Faunce, Stebbins.
Superintendent of Public Buildings— Aldermen
Hayden, Slade.
Superintendent of Sewers — Aldermen Viles.
Robinson.
City Architect— Aldermen Slade, Guild.
City Surveyor— Aldermen (iuild, Faunce.
City Messenger— Aldermen Whiton, McLean.
City Registrar— Aldermen Hayden, Yiles.
City Solicitor— Aldermen Guild, Harris.
City Engineer— Aldermen Robinson, McLean.
City Treasurer— Aldermen Stebbins, Faunce.
City Collector— Vldermen Faunce, Stebbins.
Auditor of Accounts — Aldermen Hayden, Mc-
Lean.
Water Registrar— Aldermen McLean, Hani>.
Commissioner Sinking Funds— Aldermen Steb-
bins, Guild.
Commissioner Cedar Grove Cemetery— Alder-
men Perkins. Robinson.
Directors Public Institutions— Aldermen Whid-
den, McLean.
Directors East Boston Ferries— Aldermen Mc-
Lean, Stebbins.
Trustees City Hospital — Aldermen Guild,
Faunce.
Trustees Public Library — Aldermen Faunce,
Whiton.
Trustees Mt. Hope Cemetery— Aldermen Robin-
son, Perkins.
Weighers, etc., of Lighters— Aldermen Viles,
Harris.
KEPOETS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Superintendent of Lamps. Annual report, year
ending Dec. 31, 1877:
The increase in the number of the public lamps
the past year has been the smallest for a number
ol years, as will be seen by examination of the ac-
companying tables. The" location ot lamps on
Commercial and Tenean streets, Blue Hill avenue,
Wheatland avenue and the vicinity in Dorchester,
Hyde Park avenue, Keponset and Jamaica streets
in West Roxbury, Madison square and Llewellyn
avenue in Roxbury, Chelsea Bridge, Columbia and
Brighton streets in Charlestown, West Chester
park and Commonwealth avenue in the city prop-
er, has required a considerable outlay, but most
of the new lamps have been widely distributed
over the city.
The replacing of the old and worn-out small gas
supplies by new and large pipes must be con-
tinued to prevent leakage and consequent danger
to persons and property. As a source of police
protection, constantly increasing demands are
made from year to year for the public lighting of
rear passageways, 'in the older section of the
city, while the numerous petitions for the light-
ing of suburban streets requires the careful con-
sideration of the department.
There are public lamps now located on the Com-
mon and squares of the city to the number of two
hundred and fifty. The location of these lamps
has been going on gradually for many years under
the charge of, and at a very considerable expense
to, this department, at the request of numerous
citizens and the Police Department, as the public
safety seemed to demand, and it is fair to pre-
sume that, with the laying out of the new park, a
greatly increased demand will be made for public
lighting. The annual cost to this department of
maintenance of the lamps now located on the
Common and squares of the city amounts to near-
ly ten thousand dollars, which should properly be
charged to the department having the public
parks in charge, as is the case in other large
cities.
This method of lighting up some of the impor-
tant points of night travel, which, like Scollay's
square, Park square and Post Office square, are
very broad and unsafe for the pedestrian, has
been adopted with favorable result on some of the
squares in the city of New York, and in many of
the larger cities of Europe, and is worthy of se-
rious consideration. They may, with small ex-
pense, be made ornamental as well as useful in
our city.
Price Paid jor Gas for Public Lamps.
City proper $2.00 per thousand cubic feet.
South Boston 2.40 " " "
East Boston 2.40 "
Boxburv 2.40 " " "
Dorchester 2.90 " " '•
Brookline 2.90 " " "
Brighton 2.90 " " "
West Roxburv 2.90 " " "
Charlestown 2.40 " " "
In the summer of 1876, at the suggestion of the
then Committee on Lamps, the following reduc-
tions were made in the price ot gas for the public
lamps:
City proper from 82.08y 3 per thousand to 82.00
Roxbury " 2.60 " " " 2.45
West Roxbury " 3.00 " " " 2.90
Brookline " 3.00 " " " 2.90
Brighton " 3.00 " " " 2.90
Charlestown " 2.50 " " " 2.40
Early in the year 1877, at the suggestion of the
committee, thefollowing reduction in rates was
made:
In Roxbury, from $2.45 per thousand to 82.40
South Boston, " 2.50 " " " 2.40
EastBoston, " 2.50 2.40
Dorchester, " 3.00 " " " 2.90
The result of the deductions has amounted to
over sixteen thousand dollars the past year.
The public lamps are burned every night
throughout the year, — a total of three thousand
eight hundred forty-nine and one-half hours each.
Employes.
The number of men employed is one hundred
and twenty-five, and there are no supernvmentni
men.
The men (one hundred and four in number) who
light and clean the gas lamps are paid at the fol-
lowing rates: City proper 41 men, South Boston
7 men, East Boston 5 men, Charlestown 7 men,
one and three-fourth cents per lamp per night;
while in Roxbury 19 men, Dorchester 13 men,
Brookline 1 ua an," Brighton 5 men, West Roxbury,
6 men, are paid at the rate of one and sixty-seven
one hundredths dollars per day. The men who
light the oil and fluid lamps "are twenty-one in
number.
Sroken Lanterns.
The number of lanterns which have been report-
ed by the police as broken the past year was 324
By the lamplighters 7,203
Total 7,527
Aeainst a total of 7444 in 1876, and a total of 8268
in 1875.
All repairs of lanterns are done by the depart-
ment at its workshop on Albany street. At this
shop there are four men permanently employed,
and two who work at piece work on the painting
of lanterns. In addition to the lanterns repaired
as above, there have been 2485 lanterns painted,
two coats, and 7847 iron posts repainted, one coat,
during the year.
Public Lamps.
The following table will show the number of
public lamps in the various sections of the city,
on the 15th of December, 1877, as compared with
the ten previous years :
JANUARY 14, 1878.
10
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1867.
OS 00
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o
1868.
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O M CO
50 O -4
1869.
H* 50
-J 10
*■ 50
OS
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1876.
OS © 50 -1
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1871.
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1873.
00 VO 50
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1874.
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1875.
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1876.
31
OS
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CO W
1877.
Increase of public lamps in ten years-
Total increase in 1868 47
1869 651
" " 1870 245
■ " ■' 1871 266
" " 1872 317
" " 1873 398
" " 1874 1.764
1875 747
1876 1,265
" " 1877 289
Total 5,989
Financial Condition of the Department.
The balance of the appropriation on hand,
from 1876, on the 1st of January, 1877,
was #146,261 .58
There was expended during the remainder
of the financial year 132,461.36
The balance unexpended and trans-
ferred to other appropriations was
813,800.20
The appropriation for the financial year
ending on the 30th o£ April next, was.... #490,000.00
Amount expended to date. 334,098.72
Balance unexpended #155,901.28
An amount sufficient to meet all anticipated ex-
penditures of the department for the remainder
of the financial year.
Superintendents of Mridges. Reports were re-
ceived from Superintendents of Bridges giviug
the number of vessels which passed through the
draws of the several bridges during 1877, as fol-
lows:
Congress-street Bridge— 6340 steamers and tow
boats, and 8010 sailing vessels passed through the
draw— 14,350 in all.
Dover-street Bridge— 5183 vessels passed through
the draw.
Mt. Washington-avenue Bridge— 10,452 vessels
passed through the draw.
Broadway Bridge— 5675 vessels.
Chelsea-street Bridge— 3 vessels.
Charles River Bridge — 7604 vessels.
Cambridge-street Bridge, 716.
Western-avenue Bridge, 657.
Harvard-street Bridge, 307.
Federal-street Bridge, 4715 vessels in the day-
time, 2430 in the night, total 7145.
Meridian-street Bridge, 2247 vessels.
Maiden Bridge, 1086 vessels.
Warren Bridge, 5484 vessels.
Severally sent down.
Inspectors of Lighters. Report for quarter end-
ing Dec. 31, 1877 — Receipts, §804.50; expenses,
$17.35. Sent down.
Superintendents of North Scales. Report for
quarter ending Dec. 31. 1877— Receipts, $617.85;
paid into treasury, $220.97. Sent down.
Paymaster of State Aid. Report for October,
November and December, 1877— Disbursed, $19,-
915; balance on hand, $550; number of applicants
for three months, 3996. Sent down.
COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTS.
A report was received from the Committee on
Accounts, stating that they met on. Saturday, 12th
inst., when Solomon B. Stebbins was elected
chairman on the part of the Board of Aldermen,
Roger Wolcott chairman on the part of the Com-
mon Council, and John A. Kidney, clerk. Sent
down.
MAYOR'S CLERK.
The Mayor submitted a communication giving
notice of the appointment of James M. Bugbee as
Mayor's Clerk. Sent down.
SECOND ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Alderman Perkins offered an order — That the
Committee on Assessors' Department be request-
ed to consider and report upon the expediency of
abolishing; the office of Second Assistant Assessor.
Passed. Sent down.
PETITION FOR HEARING IN RELATION TO WORK
FOR UNEMPLOYED CITIZENS.
Alderman Stebbins presented a petition from
M. J. Savage and over 1300 others, asking lor
a public hearing in relation to the condition of
the unemployed, and that proper measures be
taken for their relief; representing that a very
large number of citizens, who are capable, indus-
trious, skilled and unskilled laborers, have been
out of employment for a considerable period of
time, in consequence of which they are upon the
point of starvation at this inclement season of the
year; and the petitioners believe that the interests
of humanity demand that some measures be taken
for their relief.
Alderman Stebbins — The petitioners ask for a
public hearing before the City Council. Of course
members of the Board will at once see that it
would be difficult to arrange for a meeting of both
branches simply to hear these petitioners. I ap-
prehend that what they desire can be best accom-
plished by the reference of the petition to the
joint special committee which has been joined
this afternoon, before whom they can present
their case at length and be heard by representa-
tives of both branches better than in any other
way. In this connection I desire to call attention
to the fact that the present City Council find
themselves somewhat embarrassed by the state of
the appropriations. I also apprehend that the
special committee will find it difficult to grant
the prayer of the petitioners in view of this fact.
I have compared the state of the four leadiug
appropriations on Jan. 1. 1877 and 1878, and fiud
that in 1877 the Paving Committee had a bal-
ance to their credit of $141, 264.65; this year
they have only $86,242.59. Sewer Depart-
ment, last year, $8163.75; this year, 92,333.06.
Health Department, last year, $147,035.63; this
year $99,297.25. East Boston ferries, last, year,
$67,701.74; this year, $37,388.46. These four de-
partments employ the largest number of laborer-.
Adding the total amounts for January 1, 1877 and
1878, tor these departments, I find that while the
City Council last year entered upon their duties
with balances to the credit of these departments
of $364,405.77, we have this year but $225,262.27, or
$139,203.50 less than last year. I think it proper
te state this fact publicly, so that the petitioners
may see the almost utter impossibility of having
any relief granted by the present City" Council un-
til the annual appropriations are made. In fact,
it will be very difficult for the departmentss to
meet the three remaining monthly drafts of
the present financial year without asking for ad-
ditional appropriations.
11
BOARD OF ALDERMEJN
On motion of Alderman Stebbins, the petition
was referred to the Joint Special Committee on
the Employment of Destitute Citizens. Sent down.
MYSTIC VALLEY RAILROAD LOCATION.
A petition was received from the Mystic Valley
Railroad Corporation, for approval of" their route
to and their terminus in this city; and an order
of notice was passed for a hearing thereon on
Feb. 4 at four o'clock P. M.
PROPOSED REDUCTION OF TIME OF BURNING
PUBLIC LAMPS.
Alderman Harris offered an order— That the
Committee on Lamps consider and report on the
expediency of dispensing with the burning of
a portion of the street lamps during: the hours
from midnight until morning. Passed.
LICENSES FOR MINORS, ETC.
Alderman Stebbins olfered an order— That the
Board of Alderman be and they are hereby au-
thorized, in accordance with section 14, chapter
50, of the General Statutes, to make rules and reg-
ulations to restrain sales by minors; or to grant
licenses for minors to make such sales, on such
terms and conditions as they shall prescribe.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
PAYMENT OF EXECUTIONS.
Alderman Stebbins offered an order— That the
Committee on Claims be authorized to draw upon
the Treasurer by special dratt in the usual form
for the payment ot all executions or judgments of
court against the city when properly certified as
correct by the City Solicitor. Read twice and
passed. Sent down.
BILLS TO BE APPROVED.
Alderman Stebbins offered an order — That the
Chairman ot the Board of Aldermen be authorized
to approve bills for expenses incurred by the
Board of Aldermen and the standing committees
of the Board not having charge ot any appropria-
tions, also by individual members of this Board
while engaged in the discharge ot official duty;
the amount of said bills to be charged to the ap-
propriation for Contingent Fund of the Board of
Aldermen. Read twice and passed.
UNCOLLECTABLE TAXE8.
Alderman Stebbins offered an order — That
bis Honor the Mayor be authorized to peti-
tion the General Court, now in session, for
the passage of an act making it the duty of
the City Collector, whenever it becomes necessary
for the settlement of the annual tax warrants
committed to his custody for collection by the
Board of Assessors, and whenever such settle-
ments cannot be made by reason of death, removal
from the city, insolvency or other cause, of persons
upon whom assessment for poll taxes or taxes on
personal property has been made, not exceeding in
amount $15, and which cannot be collected, to
appear beiore the said Board of Assessors and
present a statement of such uncollectable taxes,
and make oath of bis inability to collect the same
for cause, as aforesaid, whereupon the said Board
shall certify said statement to the City Auditor
and to the said Collector for the settlement of the
taxes so assessed.
Alderman Stebbins— I shall move the reference
of the order to the Committee on Legislative Mat-
ters, and in doing so I wish to state why it is
offered so early in the year. The City Collector
finds himself embarrassed by a large number of
outstanding poll taxes running back to 1822. He
and his bondsmen are held responsible for the
tax warrants committed to his care from year to
year. There seems to be no way at present of re-
lieving him from this amount of" uncollectable
taxes. In many of the towns throughout the Com-
monwealth it is an annual custom to take action
in order to settle such taxes, or to balance the
Collector's books. Such a custom has never been
had in the city of Boston, and the present Collect-
or finds himself embarrassed by an enormous
amount of poll taxes against persons who
have either died, left the city, become insolvent
or cannot be t ound. The Collector informs me that
there are at present on his books, from 1822 to
1870, inclusive, 700,610 poll taxes due the city of
Boston. There is no way to settle these taxes or
balance the accounts except bv authority of
the Legislature as indicated in that order. "The
form of the order meets the concurrence of the
City Collector and the Board of Assessors. It
seems to be the only way to settla this vast amount
of taxes from the books. I move the reference of
the order to the Committee on Legislative Mat-
ters, for them to consider and possibly amend and
put in better shape than it now is.
The order was referred to the Joint Committee
on Legislative Matters. Sent down.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Viles.
12
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
January 17, 1878.
Regular meeting at 7 1 .. o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Fope, President, in the chair.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Reports of city officers. Placed on rile.
Mayor's message, appointing James M. Bugbee
Mayor's Clerk. Placed on file.
Certificate of the election of Solomon B. Steb-
bins, Chairman, and John A. Kidney, Clerk, of
the Committee on Accounts. Placed on file.
Reference to the Committee on Legislative Mat-
ters of an order for the Mayor to petition for an
act of the Legislature in regard to certain uncol-
lectable taxes, as therein set forth. Concurred.
Order for the Board of Aldermen to make rules,
etc., for sales by minors and to grant licenses for
such sales. Read twice and passed in concur-
rence.
Order for Committee on Claims to draw on the
Treasurer for payment of executions and judg-
ments against the city. Passed in concurrence.
Order for a report to be made on expediency of
abolishing the office of Second Assistant Assessor.
Read twice and passed in concurrence.
Order for the opinion of Fire Commissioners on
value and efficiency of the tire boat, and the reas-
ons for discontinuing the allowance for rations
for the crew. Read twice and passed in concur-
rence.
ROXBURY CANAL.
An order came down for the City Solicitor to
comrauuicate his opinion as to the legal power of
the Board of Health to abate the Roxbury Canal
nuisance.
The question was on giving the order a second
reading.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I don't know as I
desire to oppose the passage of this order; but I
do desire to say that I think it is a mistake to
substitute it for the order which originated in this
branch. It must be evideut that the City Solici-
tor will be perfectly unable to give an "opinion
without knowing what the necessities for abating
that nuisance are— in other words, what must be
done; and the order passed here was intended to
ascertain, in the first place, what was necessary
to be done— whether to take a large tract of land,
as laid down in the act of 1877, or whether it
could be filled up and damages paid; wheth-
er the sewage should be diverted from the
canal, and the canal be dredged out and remain
there. The City Solicitor was beard today to say
(I think I am revealing no secrets) it would be
impossible for him to determine whether the
Board of Health had power to abate that nuisance
until he knew what was necessary to be done
there. It is plain that the Board ot Health could
have no right under the statutes or ordinances to
enter upon the building of one or two large sew-
ers, at an expense of ¥60,000 or $ 05, 000; neither
would they have the right to take a tiaot
of land for that purpose. I think the
order before us was the result of a misapprehen-
sion of the exigencies ot that case, and ot the
facts; but possibly it may be the best way to let it
pass, and let the City Solicitor answer it if he can,
though I thiuk it will postpone the direct meas-
ures and action which are necessary to abate that
nuisance.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— I hardly know what it is
best to do with that order, in the condition that
Roxbury Canal is now, and the matter stands;
but there is this much, the Board of Health have
had this before them for three years, and they
haven't seen their way clear to commence it.
There has always been one lawyer ou the board,
and now there are two," and they don't
see any way in which they can attack so
big a subject as the Roxbury Canal. As it is
well alone in the season, and as we had this mat-
ter in such a shape as to attack Roxbury Canal,
I cannot see any reason for the passage of the or-
der from the other Board.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9—1 cannot see what harm
can be done by passing this order. I understand
that certain gentlemen think the City Solicitor
will give an opinion that will throw some light
upon this matter. Whether or not the Board of
Health can abate this nuisance, is a question of
law and fact. As the gentleman from Ward 10
says, the City Solicitor cannot settle the questions
ot tact; but there are certain questions of law
which he can give an opinion upon. Assuming
that certain facts exist, he can state what the
powers of the Board of Health are and what thev
can do to prevent the nuisance. As this order
has passed the other Boaid, and if we pass it
here, it would go before the City Solicitor to-
morrow, it will make no particular delay. As we
should have an answer in a few days, I can see no
barm in asking for the opinion before we finally
vote. It may give us some valuable inrormation,
ami it that is so, it will be desirable to pass the
order.
The order was read a second time and passed in
concurrence.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
On motion of Mr. Barnard of Ward 24, the rule
was suspended and he submitted a report from
the committee to nominate candidates for Fi-
nance Committee, recommending the election of
the members originally reported by them, viz.,
Eugene H. Sampson, J. Homer Fierce, Moses W.
Richardson. Heury F. Coe, George L. Thorndike,
George B. Webster, Francis J. Ward. The report
was accepted an-l an election ordered. Commit-
tee—Messrs. Thompson of \\ aid 9, Wjraan of
Ward 21, Sawyer of Ward 24.
Whole nun ber of votes 68
Necessary for a choice 35
Kusrene H. Sampson 63
.1. Homer Pierce n.s
Moses W. Richardson 66
Henry F. Coe 68
George L. Thorndike 0"
George B. Webster 61
Francis J. Ward 65
.lames B. Richardson 4
Peter S. Roberts (i
James B. Danforth 1
A. 8. Brown 1
And the first seven were elected.
JOINT BULBS AM' ulillEllS.
The order adopting the joint rules and orders
(City Documents) was taken up at eight o'clock,
by special assignment, the question being on its
passage.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— There is a provision in
rule 20, in regard to bills lor refreshments, which
may he open to a little misunderstanding. It
specifics that no bill for refreshments shall be ap-
proved by the presiding officer of any board, or
chairman of a committee, "which includes
anione its items liquors or cigars, or
any bill lor refreshments furnished to any
person not a member of such board or
committee, unless specially authorized to do so by
vote of such board or committee." It. is not gen-
erally provided that the items of a bill shall be
specified, and it occurred to me that a bill might
not show that liquors or cigars were furnished,
when they actually were. I therefore offer the
lollowing as a substitute for the second part of
rule 20:
"No expenditure for liquors or cigars shall be
approved by the presiding officer ot a board or
chairman ot a committee, or any bill for refresh-
ments furnished to any person not a member of
such board or committee, unless authorized to do
so by such board or committee."
It "takes the ulace ol the second portion of rule
20.
Mr. Crocker of W T ard 9— The committee have
made a little discrepancy in their report, as stated
on pages 2 and 7, and to render the amendment
of the gentleman more plain and bring about a
better result, I suggest the striking out of the
words "among its items," and inserting "any
charge for."
Mr. Pierce accepted the amendment of Mr.
Crocker.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 1G— I move to strike out the
words "liquors or cigars." Although I don't use
either liquors or cigars, I think that when a com-
mittee meet, if one of the members wishes to
indulge modestly in a glass of wine, I think be
has as much right to that as he has to solid re-
freshments. As I do not use either liquor or
Cigars, I feltthaujit would be better for me to offer
this amendment than one who does use them.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9— The amendment
touche- the vital point in this matter. The opin-
ion of the citizens of Boston has been shown very
clearly that they are opposed to the illegal ex-
penditure of the city's money for junketing of
this class. I do not believe a majority, or any
JANUARY 17
1878
13
large portion, of the citizens of Boston, ob-
ject to reasonable expenditures for carriage
hire or dinners for committees engaged
upon work of the city ; but there has
been a strong feeling against committees
going to an extravagant expense for liquors and
cigars. One result of the last section has been the
proposed changes in the rule. As gentlemen well
know, aU through last year we were squabbling
over amendments to the rules to prevent this
thing, and it is a very healthy sign to see an at-
tempt to get rid of it at the beginning of the year.
I hope the substitute will pass, for I think it will
have a good effect. I do not think the
citizens care for the items ; it is the
principle involved. The people are willing to
pay millions to pay interest on' the debt, and
make necessary public improvements; but they
are not willing* to spend hundreds of dollars for
things of thi- kind, for when you once admit the
principle that such expenditures can be made, you
open the door to any amount.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11 — I hope the amend-
ment of the gentleman from Ward 16 will not
pass. When the committee assembled there was
found to be a strong feeling against any
such expenditures for liquors or cigars
being allowed by the City Government.
It was first proposed to recommend a
rule prohibiting such expenditure; but the ma-
jority of the committee were of the opinion that
under certain circumstances such au expenditure
would be proper. They wished to strengthen the
hands of the joint committee, and gentlemen will
notice that the rale leaves the matter in the hands
of the committee. Cases have occurred in the
past when a bill has been presented to
the chairman of a committee and be has per-
sistently refused for weeks to approve it; but,
owing to great outside pressure, he has done so
with extreme reluctance. It will be noticed that,
under this rule, any proper bill for liquors or
cigars will be presented at the next meeting of
the committee and passed upon as routine busi-
ness; and when the chairman is convinced that it
is not a proper bill to approve, the committee can
reject it, and the chairman can say, I have
nothing to do with it, the committee refused
to pass it. The matter is left entirely
in the hands of the committee. I do
not think the rule will change the attitude of any
proper expenditure of this kind, but I think it
will check the improper use of liquor and cigars.
I hope the amendment of the gentleman from 1
Ward 16 will not be adopted.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— This matter took con-
siderable time in the committee. One day was n't
enough, and we adjourned to another day. It
was all about sustaining the inner man during his
arduous labors. My associate has stated pre-
cisely what the committee intended to do. I
have known cases where the chairman hur-
riedly approved a bill. We want the com-
mittee to understand and vote upon the bills in
some form. We have got to trust men while liv-
ing. If committees have wine and cigars it is
their business. The people send us here to spend
ten millions of dollars; if they trust us to so
great an extent, we ought to trust committees
with these small affairs. 1 think the report cov-
ers all that can be done. These technical terms
may not be right ; I am not a lawyer, or the son
of a lawyer, and if anything can be done to make
the rule more plain, I hope it will be done.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— Will the chairman
be kind enough to enlighten me and the Council
what is meant by liquors ?
Mr. Sibley— I suppose it is something a little
stronger and more reviving than water. It is
more expensive than water. Some people object
to it, and don't think much of it.
Mr. McGaragle— The explanation is far from
satisfactory. Many members of the Council do
not drink liquor, but if they see fit to call for a
bottle of mineral water that costs more than a
glass of liquor, I should like to know if they are
debarred from that privilege? [Mr. McGaragle
paused; the President was about to put the
question and Mr. McGaragle continued.] If
the chairman don't see fit to answer the
question I shall oppose the order. If the
rule allows members who do not drink to
call for Apollinaris water which costs sixty-
five cents, and prevents others from calling for
a glass of whiskey which costs only fifteen cents.
I don't propose to consent to anything of the
kind. I intend that all shall be free and equal, so
far as eating and drinking are concerned. If there
is to be exclusivenesshere, I am not in for it; if
there is to be total prohibition, I am in for it. If
some are to be allowed to use Apollinaris water,
and others not to use liquor, I am opposed to it.
If the committee do not satisfactorily explain it,
I shall move an additional section, to exclude all
drinks.
Mr. Wolcott— I trust this will be met in a fair
way. It is not a prohibition of Apollinaris water
or anything else. It is simply left to the commit-
tee. Any committee that would approve a bill
for Apollinaris water would not object to liquor.
The Committee on Rules and Orders did not in-
tend to make it prohibitory.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11— Without entering
into any discussion of this matter, I would ask
the attention of the gentleman from Ward 11 to
section 20 on the seventh page, which seems to
prohibit the presiding officer of a board or chair
man of a committee iroiri approving any bill for
refreshments on any day other than the day of
meeting of such committee, or any bill which in-
cludes among its items liquors or cigars. I mere-
ly ask for an explanation.
Mr. Flynn's amendment to strikeout wines and
cigars was lost.
Mr. Pierce's amendment [in the form of Mr.
Crocker's substitute] was rejected.
Mr. Crocker — Gentlemen must belaboring under
a mistake, as there is no objection to the cbange,
which is merely verbal and to make the rule more
effective.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 moved to amend by
striking out all of the rule relating to approval of
bills for refreshments, liquors and cigars.
Mr. Barry of Ward 22 asked Mr. Spenceley's rea-
sons for offering the amendment.
Mr. Spenceley--So much has been said about it
in the two years I have been in the Council, that I
am tired ot hearing about it, and it is a pretty
good time to find out whether or not this City
Government want any refreshments, and whether
we had n't better do away with them altogether.
I would like to have it decided once tor all
whether this City Council wants refreshments or
not, and to do so I call for a yea and nay vote.
Mr. McGaragle— If that amendment is adopted
will it prevent members of the City Council from
going junketing at large, without anyoody to ap-
prove bills?
Mr. Coe of Ward 24—1 was about to ask the same
question; whether it would not leave committees
free to junket to an unlimited extent, there being
no rule against it.
Mr. Spenceley's amendment was rejected.
Mr. Thompson moved to strike out the clause
providing for refreshments on any day other than
the day of the committee meeting, adding, The
rule, as explained, evidently gives authority to
approve bills for refreshments furnished when
there is no committee meeting. I cannot con-
ceive of a case when it would be right to approve
a bill for carriages or refreshments when there
was no committee meeting. There may be in-
stances, and if I am wrong I may be corrected.
Unless I am wrong I would take away;that power.
Mr. Wolcott— If 1 understand the amendment
correctly it forbids the approval of bills for le-
freshments furnished on days other than meet-
ings of the committee. That was discussed in
the committee; statements were made that fre-
quently members were appointed upon sub-com-
mittees to visit distant places and do work that
required carriages and refreshments to sustain
their bodily strength. It was felt that any proper
charges submitted before a committee would be
approved, but if a member put in an improper
bill of that kind, the committee would throw it
out. I do not think the rule is open to the objec-
tion raised by the gentleman. Every bill will
come up on its merits; proper ones will be ap-
proved, and improper ones thrown out.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24 moved to reconsider the
vote whereby his amendment was rejected, add-
ing—Gentlemen can hardly have understood its
meaning, or else there is more reason to make
the change than I supposed there was; because if
there is a feeling that those words should be there
there may be danger that they will be taken ad-
vantage of in some instances to make the approv-
al of such bill by the chairman legal when it
would not be within the meaning of the rule as I
understand it. Therefore I move to reconsider,
and upon that motion I call for the yeas and
nays.
Mr. Thompson's amendment was rejected.
Mr. Pierce's motion to reconsider was lost.
Mr. Day of Ward 4 believed the committee had
1+
COMMON COUNCIL,
presented the best thing the Council can put upon
its rules, and therefore he moved the previous
question.
Mr. Thompson objected to hurrying the matter;
the rule was not strong enough.
Mr. McGaragle hoped every gentleman would
have a chance to express his mind.
Mr. Day said several amendments had been dis-
posed of, and the majority evidently desired to
adopt the report.
The main question was ordered, and Mr. Thomp-
son called for a division of the question, desiring
to act on rule 20 separately by yea and nay vote,
and pass the rest of the order.
The order, except rule 20, was passed.
Mr. Thompson called for the yeas and nays on
rule 20, which were not ordered.
Mr. Barnard said it was not customary to have
the bills itemized, and asked it a bill could be ap-
proved for liquors or cigars that did not give the
items.
Mr. Wolcott said the phraseology was wrong.
It referred to a proposed change nearer the be-
ginning of rule 20, which was not adopted, and to
which this referred. He had hoped the amend-
ment of Mr. Pierce would be adopted, as it would
improve the phraseology.
Mr. Spenceley desired the matter tojlie over un-
til after the ordinance offered last year relating to
salaries could be acted upon, and he moved to lay
on the table, which the President ruled out of
order.
Rule 20 was declared adopted. Mr. Spenceley
doubted the vote, and on his motion the yeas and
nays were ordered.
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, B. Briutnall,
N. 5T. Briutnail, Clapp, Coe, Colby, Crocker, Dan-
forth, Day, Devlin, Feruald, Hani, Hibbard, Hol-
lis, Howland, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey, Mc-
Garagle, McGeough, Mullen, O'Connor, Pearl, Per-
ham, Pierce, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W.
Richardson, Roberts, Rosnosky, Rust, E. H.Samp-
son, O. H. Sampson, Santry, H. N. Sawyer, N.
Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith, J. F. Taylor, J.
Taylor, Thorudike, Toppan, Ward, Webster,
Whicher, AVilson, Wolcott, Woolley, W'yman— 50.
Nays- .Messrs. Barry, Brawley, Burke, Cannon,
Cox. Denny, Doherty, Drynan, Flynn, Hill, Ken-
dricken. Kidney, Lauten, Mowry, Mullane, Nason,
Roach, Spenceley, Thompson— 20.
Absent or not voting— Mr. Kelley— 1.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— Petition of Robert
Paget for leave to place boats on the Public Gar-
den pond. Referred to Joint Committee on Com-
mon. Sent up.
By Mr. James C. Tucker, to be refunded money
paid for tax title. Referred to Joint Committee
on Claims. Sent up.
NOMINATIONS.
Reports of nominating committees were sub-
mitted as follows:
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 reported the names of
Alderman Clinton Viles and COuncilmen Eugene
H. Sampson and Edwin Sibley as Directors of
Public Institutions.
Mr. Hill of Ward 14 reported the names of Al-
derman Charles Hayden and Councilmen Charles
S. Perham and Benjamin Brintnall as Trustees of
Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 reported the names of Al-
derman Curtis Guild and Council men H. N. Shep-
ard and H. F. Coe as trustees of the Public
Library.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17 reported the names of
Alderman Samuel C. Perkins and Councilmen
C. J. Spenceley and Peter S. Roberts as trustees
of the City Hospital.
Mr. Roberts of Ward 4 reported the names of
Alderman Charles R. McLean and Councilmen
Salmon P. Hibbard and Edward Pearl as directors
of the East Boston Ferries.
Reports severally accepted. Sent up.
ELECTIONS.
Mr. Sampson submitted the following from the
Standing Committee on Elections:
Report on petition of C. M. Winch et al., that
they have recounted the original ballots cast for
Common Council in Ward 16, with the following
result:
John Taylor 942
Dennis A. Flynn 884
Isaac Rosnosky 878
J. Amherst Whitmore 806
Hillard L. Goodale 753
William Pelkus 713
Joseph Moritz 56
J, Avery Richards 10
William Perkins 10
Andrew Jackson 2
and J. A. Richardson, James F. Mars ton, Eugene
H. Sampson, Jesse L. Nason, Salmon P. Hibbard,
Rosnosky, Isaac Rosnoskey, one each.
It appears that the members now occupying
seats at the Board from that ward are elected.
Accepted.
Report on petition of Dudley Pray et al. for re-
count of ballots in Ward 13, and that the ballots
be compared with the check lists, that they have
no authority to recount any votes except for
members of the Council, and as it does not ap-
pear that the seat of any member from that ward
is contested, it is not in the nower of the commit-
tee to grant the request of the petitioners.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 offered the usual order for
the Superintendent of Health to contract tor and
purchase supplies and horses for that department
during the present financial year. Ordered to a
second reading.
.JOINT RULES AGAIN.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 moved a reconsideration
of the vote whereby the joint rules and orders
were adopted, intending to renew the amend-
ment to correct the mistake evidently made, and
so stated by the gentleman from Ward 11.
Mr. Sibley favored the reconsideration, as the
amendment was a verbal one.
On motion of Mr. Thompson the yeas aud nays
ordered, and the reconsideration prevailed— yeas
40, nays 30.
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brawley, Brown, Clapp,
Coe, Colby, Crocker, Danforth, Ham, Hibbard,
Hill, Hollis, Howland, Kendricken, Kidney, Lov-
ering, McGeough, Mowry, Nason, Pearl, Perham,
Pierce, Plimpton, Roberts, Rust, EL N. Sawyer,
N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith, Spenceley, J.
Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward. Webster,
Whicher, "Wilson, Wolcott, Wyman 40.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, B. Brintnall, N. Y. Brint-
nall," Burke, Cannon, Cox, Day, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Lauten, Mc-
Donald, McGahey, McGaragle, Mullane, Mullen,
O'Connor, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Richardson,
Roach, Rosnosky, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Samp-
son, Santry, J. F. Taylor, Thorndike, Woolley— 30.
Absent or not voting — Mr. Kelley— 1.
Mr. Crocker moved to amend rule 20 by strik-
ing off "s" from "includes," and striking out
"among its items" so that it would read "bill . for
refreshments which include liquors or cigars."
Mr. Barry of Ward 22—1 wish to call the atten-
tion of the Council to the fact that when the gen-
tleman asked for a reconsideration it was to offer
one amendment; and now he has put in a differ-
ent one from what he told the Council he would
put in.
Mr. Crocker— I did intend to offer the exact
amendment I proposed before; but the President
has stated that be should rule that amendment
out of order, and I therefore offer this one, which,
though different, will have the same effect.
Mr. Barnard— I do not see that we are to have
the items any more than we did belore. I do not
see how the gentleman is to find out whether
wines or liquors are charged in the bill.
Mr.- Brawley of Ward 19— We have listened to a
good deal of debate upon this question, and I
don't see that we have accomplished anything.
We have had some legal debate, but I do not see
that the grammatical construction of the order
has been practically improved. If tbey do not
put in items, I don't" see how you are going to ex-
clude liquors. I should like to know what the
gentleman means — whether to exclude liquors or
to put them in? I am in favor of excluding
liquors, and if be will fix such an amendment I
will vote for it. I should like to know what is to
be gained by this?
Mr. Crocker— 1 did not offer the amendment
originally, and thought it had been sufficiently
explained. My object is to render it impossible
for chairmen of committees to approve bills for
refreshments which include liquors and cigars,
unless the committee specially vote to authorize
him to do so. That is the intention of the Com-
mittee on Joint Rules ; that is my desire ; and I
suppose it to be the wish of the Council. This
amendment originated with the gentleman from
Ward 24. There is nothing in the rule requiring
bills to be set out with items, and it is not custom-
ary for bills to contain items, but simply to say
JANUARY 17
1878
15
refreshments furnished A, B and C— that is the
way the bills from Parker's come in — and, as the
rule stands now, although there may be a charge
for liquors or cigars, and the chairman may know
it, he could approve the bill. It is not desirable
that a simple and easy way should be left open to
the chairman of a committee who wanted to ap-
prove oills.for liauors and cigars furnished to his
committee. It was admitted by the committee
that, under the rule, a chairman might say, "I
see no item for liquors or cigars. I know that
half of it is actually for liquor, but, as I can see
no item of this sort, I will approve it." In order
to prevent the chairman of a committee from
dodging the rule in that way— if he should be in-
clined to do so— it was proposed to alter the rule so
as not to authorize the approval of any bill which
included liquors or cigars; so that the chairman,
when the bill is presented for approval, if he
knows that the refreshments actually included
liquors or cigars, it will be his duty under the
rule to withhold his approval without special vote
of the committee. That, 1 understand, is the de-
sire of the Council, and I cannot think any gentle-
man would object to the change. The whole
trouble has arisen from a misapprehension of the
change. It is simply to remedy an error in the
phraseology of the rule.
On motion of Mr. Pierce of Ward 24, the yeas
and nays were ordered on the amendment.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17 moved to recommit
rule 20 to the committee, with instructions to
report an amendment which would affect this
matter.
Mr. Barry — There has been a great deal of
buncombe talk about this mattei both last year
and this year; and as members desire to secure
newspaper fame for economy, I want my share of
it. In sporting parlance, I will see the gentle-
man and go him'one better, and offer the follow-
ing as a substitute. I believe in economy. I
move to strike out all of rule 20 and insert the
following as a substitute:
"All committees desiring refreshments shall ap-
ply to the City Council therefor."
Mr. Wolcott objected to a recommittal, believ-
ing the committee M'ould not report any change.
This amendment is verbal and does not affect the
rule.
The motion to recommit was lost.
Mr. Barry — If my substitute is adopted, we can
see who is in favor of junketing. If committees
desire refreshments, the gentleman from Ward 9
can find out who takes a hand in it, and we can
find out who the junketing members are.
Mr. Barry's substitute was lost.
On motion of Mr. Coe, the main question was
ordered.
Mr. Crocker's amendment was adopted— yeas
40, nays 30:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, N. Y. Brintnall,
Clapp, Coe, Colby, Crocker, JDanforth,Ham, Hib-
bard, Hill, Hollis, Howland, Kendncken, Lover-
ing, McGeougb, Mowry, Nason,_Pearl, Perham,
Pierce, Plimpton, Roberts, Rust, r<i. H. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer. N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith,
Spenceley," J. Taylor, Thompson, Toopan, Ward,
Webster, Whicher, Wilson, Wolcott, Wyman— 40.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall,
Burke, Cannon, Cox, Day, Denny, Devlin, Doher-
ty, Drynau, Fernald, Flynn, Kidney, Lauten, Mc-
Donald, McGahey, McG-aragle, Mullane, Mullen,
O'Connor, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Richardson,
Roach, Rosnosky, O. H. Sampson, Santry, J. F.
Taylor, Thorndike, Woolley— 30.
Absent or not voting— Mr. Kelley— 1.
The order, as amended, was passed. Sent up.
BILLS TO BE APPROVED.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11 offered an order— That
all bills for refreshments or carriage hireincurred
by the Common Council, the standing committees
of the Common Council not having charge of any
appropriation, or individual members of the Com-
mon Council while in the discharge of official
duty, give the names of the persons incurring the
same, and after having been approved by the
committee, or certified to by the members who in-
curred the same, the President of the Common
Council is authorized to approve the same, as pro-
vided in the annual appropriation order under the
head of Contingent Fund of the Common Council;
and the Auditor of Accounts is authorized to allow
the same for payment; provided, that no bill shall
be approved by the President unless it shall be
presented to h'im for approval before the end of
the month next succeeding that within which the
expenses covered by such bill were incurred.
Mr. Wolcott explained that the order is the
same as passed last year, and he offered it as
chairman of the Committee on Accounts.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent up.
PAY OF A DISABLED FIREMAN.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order —
That the Treasurer be and he is hereby authorized
to accept the receipt of Henrietta Brooks, wife of
Charles Brooks, for the amount allowed her hus-
band by the City Council, December 18, 1878, as
compensation for personal injuries received while
in the discharge of his duties as fireman; said
Charles Brooks being mentally incapacitated
from signing the receipt therefor. Read twice
and passed. Sent up.
ARMY AND NAVY MEMORIAL.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order— That
the Joint Standing Committee on Printing be re-
quested to consider and report upon the expedi-
ency of printing a new edition of the Army and
Navy Monument Memorial for the use of the City
Council.
Mr. Spenceley said there had been very many
calls for the memorial, and he hoped the commit-
tee would be allowed to consider the subject and
report.
The order was read twice and passed. Sent up.
PROPOSED CHANGE IN TERM OF MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL, AND SALARIES FOR THE LAT-
TER.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order —
That his Honor the Mayor be requested to peti-
tion the General Court at its present session for
an act providing that the Mayor of the city of
Boston be elected for a term 6f two years; also,
for an act providing that the Aldermen of the city
of Boston be elected for a term of three years;
that they devote their whole time to the city, and
that they receive a salary for said services; also,
for an act providing that the Common Council of
the city of Boston be elected for a term of three
years, and that they be paid a salary for their
services.
Mr. Spenceley— Some members will recollect
that last year I put in an order similar, but as it
was late, and as the order would take a great deal
of discussion, I let it go over to this year. As this
order contemplates a great change in the City
Government, I will simply give a few reasons why
1 think it will be better to elect the Mayor,
Aldermen and Councilmen for a term of years.
The first question that arose was, Would* it be
for the best benefit of the city of Boston to have
this change; and I said, Yes, 'for several reasons.
First, on account of experience. There is no
doubt that experience is a good thing, especially
in city affairs ; and in that view it would be a
greatbenefit to the city, though I suppose that
reason alone will not be sufficient to pass it. An-
other point is, we would have only one-third the
number of men to elect each year, and the chances
would be in favor of getting better candidates.
I do not say this with any disrespect to Aldermen
or Councilmen who have been elected in past
years. If we had to elect only one man in three
years in a wara where we now elect three
men for one year, I have no doubt we
would look around carefully and select the
best man that could be found in the
ward. Another and a very essential point, and
one that we have been talking about, is economy.
Old and new members have refused to vote $5
for badges, ana it seems to me that if we can have
this experience it will be still more economical
for the city of Boston, by the knowledge which
members will obtain. Another point is, it will
insure more independence of action. Gentlemen
may say they would n't be trammelled by any-
body; but I will admit that I might be myself. A
man coming here for three years will be'rnore in-
dependent than he would if he came for only
one year. Another point is, better legisla-
tion; "and experience would give us this. lam
only naming these points as they come along.
Any scheme presented to the City Council would
receive better attention if members are elected
for three years than it would if they are elected
for one year. Another question refers more di-
rectly to the Aldermen than to the Common
Council : Does the office of Alderman require men
elected thereto to give their whole time to the city ?
That is a very pertinent question. I have nothing
to say against the Aldermen whom I have met in
the past two years. I say all honor to the men
who can and will leave their business and give
their whole time to the city. But any gentleman
16
COMMON COUNCIL.
present knows we cannot have the work clone by
committees as it ought to be done, because of the
pressure upon the time of the Board of Aldermen.
It was truly said by one of the members last year
that no Hoard of Aldermen could do the work re-
quired oi them without giving their whole time
to it. How many times have we heard it said that
if they did n't have the best of men in their
stores, they would have to give up business and
they hardly dared to go to their stores because
there were so many people there. When they give
only a part of their time to the work, it is not as
well done as it ought to be. They have tne over-
sight of departments, make up the annual appro-
priations, and see to the expenditures: and with
all these things upon them 1 do not believe they
can do the business as well as they could if they
gave their whole time to it. It seems to me to be
a question for us to decide tonight or at some fu-
ture time, whether these men should uot
be required to give their whole time to the
city. It may lie said that the commissions have
taken a great deal ol work from them. That is
true; but a vast deal more must be taken from
them before they can do the work. Hut the ques-
tion comes to me, Can you Hud twelve men who
can give their time to it'.' Yon may find a few
men like one ol the Park Commissioners who can
give their whole time to their duties. Now, what
must we do? We must pay them for their
labors. It is an old and true saying, that
the workman is worthy ol his hire. It |we ask
gentlemen to do this work, and if the
work is not done well because they
do not give their whole time to if, is n't it time to
see that they must be paid '.' I'his question must
come up i" regard to the Hoard ol Aldermen, or
else we must establish more commissions; and it
must soon be decided. Perhaps there is a feeling
in the public that we ought to have more
commissions, and instead of letting the Al-
dermen do executive work, that they should
make laws and ordinances, and that we should
hire commissioners to carry out these laws.
It seems to me that i« not the right way
to do this work. If the Aldermen are to
be merely a legislative body, they become
simply an ornament; they merely come here
to transact a little business, and then their work
will he done. The better way is to pay Alder-
men a good salary— get the best men we can
find, men of talent, and have them devote their
whole time to it; and in that way save money
enough to pay for their salaries. The differ-
ence between the Hoard of Aldermen and
the commissions is this: The commissions take
charge of departments and do [not have work
enough, in making up these commissions we
give good men a good deal of money to do a little
work. It has been said the Fire Commission could
also take the Police Department under their con-
trol — I have received that almost from them-
selves—the duties of the two are so much alike. If
we pay the Aldermen, we can have them as com-
mittees on the different departments, in-
stead of having commissioners, and in that
way we would get a better Government than we
have today; because those gentlemen, being on
the different committees, and coining together
day after day, each would know more about the
city's work and the duties ol each department;
and they being constantly brought together would
give, us what we truly desire, a Hoard of Public
Works. Those are some of the reasons
tor otfering the order. I know it will
meet with some objections. It is said
that if we pay Aldermen, the office
will be sought after by broken-down politicians;
but I have confidence in the citizens of Boston,
and believe that just as good a Hoard of Aldermen
will be chosen as now. The power to elect belongs
to the people, and I believe they can be trusted to
exercise the ngnt. The Mayor now appoints the
commissioners; but I would prefer to have this
go directly to the people to choose who should
serve them as Aldermen or as commis-
sioners, rather than have one man nominate
them, though of course the nominations would have
to he confirmed by the City Council. A merely
nominal salarj would be all that is required to
pay the Common Council, and if we did so we
would hear less talk about junketing. I hope this
matter will be fully discussed.
On motion of Mr. McDonald of Ward 12, the
order was laid on the table.
PETITIOH FOB OFFICE.
By Mr. Kidney ol Ward 6 — Petition of George
W. Hagar et a/., in favor of William Kies as Assist-
ant Weigher and Inspector of Ballast. Referred
to special committee on that subject. Sent up.
EMPLOYES I.v I'l Hl.ic INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 offered an order-
That the City Solicitor be requested to give his
opinion to the City Council in regard to the pow-
er ol the Board of Directors tor Public Institu-
tions in regard 1 1 establishing the salaries of offi-
cers and employes in the institutions under their
charge.
Mr. Sampson said the same order was passed
last, year, but no reply had beeu received. He
merely renewed if, that, the opinion may come in.
The order was passed. Sent up.
CARRIAGE HIKE.
Mr. Brown of Ward 23 offered an order— That
the Joint Standing Committee on ordinances be
requested to consider and report upon the expe-
diency of providing an ordinance to regulate the
carriage hire of members of the City Council
while on official business, and also for the several
departments thereof.
Mr. Harry moved to insert "and refreshments."
In reply "to Mr. McGaragle, Mr. Brown said the
order fully explained his object.
Mr. Harry's amendment was rejected, and the
order was passed. Sent up.
RULES OF Tilt: COMMON COUNCIL.
On motion of Mr. Sibley of Waul 5, the report
on tne rules of the Common Council was taken
from the table and accepted.
Later in the session, on motion of Mr. Sibley, the
vote was reconsidered, and Mr. Sibley oifered
some verbal amendments, among which was one
that if a member gave notice of a reconsidera-
tion and .could not he present at the next meeting,
some other member could make it for him.
The amendments were adopted, and the report
accepted as amended, and the rules and orders
were declared adopted.
SOI I-.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5 called tor a report in
regard to soup for the poor, and Mr. Sampson of
Ward 17 said last year's Finance Committee had
made up a report, but he could not get it in. It
would be among the first matters reported on.
SALARY COMMITTEE.
The President appointed Messrs. McGaragle of
Ward 8 and Cox of Ward 15 on the Salary Com-
mittee. Sent up.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Barnard of Ward
24.
'. ■ .
....
17
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
CITY OF BOS TON.
Proceeding's of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 21, 1878.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. M., Alderman
Stebbins, Chairman, presiding.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.
Weigher of Coal— George H. Pike. Confirmed.
Undertaker— Harris Levy, for the congregation
of Shomri Shabos, and to hold office until the
first Monday of April next. Confirmed.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Paving. Petition for leave
to move a block of two wooden buildings, by W.
R. Cavanagh, from corner of E and West Fifth
streets to Ninth street, rear of H street.
Elizabeth A. and Thomas dishing, that North-
ampton street, west of Columbus avenue, be put
in order.
Metropolitan Railroad Company, for an addition
to its location on portions of Boylstou and Claren-
don streets.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Boston Dental College, for a modifica-
tion of the order of this Board approved Nov. 3,
1869. relating to deceased persons.
To the Committeeon Common on the part of the
Board. Elizabeth Carter, tor leave to remove
some trees from Norfolk street, Ward 24.
To the Commit '.ee on Police. J. P. T. Percival,
for leave to projecta druggist's mortar in front of
215 Washington street.
Allen Shapleigh & Co., for leave to projecta
business sign in front of store 85 and 8T Court
street.
To the Committee on Armories. Captain of
Company H, Ninth Battalion of Infantry, M. V.
H.j for a change of location of armory.
To the Committee on Survey., etc., of Buildings —
B. F. Sturtevant to eiect a woooen building near
Union avenue, Ward 23.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions vfce referred in concurrence.
Order to pay Henrietta B/ooks the amount al-
lowed by last City Council to her husband, who
was injured at a fire. Passed in concurrence.
Order for opinion of City Solicitor on authority
of Directors for Public Institutions to fix the sala-
ries of their employes. Passed in concurrence.
Order for Committee on Printing to consider the
subject of printing another edition of the ''Army
and Navy Monument Memorial." Passed In con-
currence.
Order for the Committee on Ordinances to con-
sider the expediency of providing by ordinance
for the regulation of carriage hire for committees.
Passed in concurrence.
Certificate of election of Committee on Finance.
Placed on file.
ELECTIONS.
Reports of nominating committees came up
and action thereon was taken as follows:
For Directors of Mast Boston Perries. Alder-
man McLean and Messrs. Hibbard and Pearl.
Report accepted, and on motion of Alderman
Slade a ballot was ordered. Committee— Alder-
men Slade, Guild. Alderman McLean received 11
votes, and Councilmen Hibbard and Pearl 11 each,
and they were declared elected. Certificate sent
down.
For Trustees of Ml. Hope Cemetery. Alderman
Hayden and Messrs. Perbatu ana B. Brintnall.
Report accepted, and on motion of Alderman
Perkins a ballot was ordered. Committee— Alder-
men Perkins, Whiton. Alderman Hayden re-
ceived 11 votes, Councilmen Perham and B. Brint-
nall 11 each, and they were declared elected. Cer-
tificate sent down.
Por Trustees of Public Library. Alderman
Guild and Messrs. Shepard and Coe. Report ac-
cepted in concurrence, and on motion of Alder-
man Faunce a ballot was ordered. Committee-
Aldermen Faunce, Hayden. Alderman Guild re-
ceived 11 votes, and Councilmen Shepard and
Coe 11 each, and they were declared elected. Cer-
tificate sent down.
For Trustees of City Hospital. Alderman Per-
kins and Messrs. Spenceley and Roberts. Report
accepted in concurrence. A ballot was ordered.
Committee— Aldermen Harris, Whidden. Alder-
man Perkins received 11 votes, and Councilmen
Spenceley and Roberts 11 each, and they were de-
clared elected. Certificate sent down.
For IHrectors for Public Institutions. Alder-
man Viles, and Messrs. E. H. Sampson and Sibley.
The report was accepted in concurrence, and a
ballot ordered on motion of Alderman Robinson.
Committee — Aldermen Robinson, McLean. Al-
derman Viles received 10 votes and Councilmen
E. H. Sampson and Sibley 11 each, and Council-
man Sawyer 1. The nominees were declared
elected. Certificate sent down.
JOINT RULES AND ORDERS.
The report proposed on joint rules and orders (City
Doc. 5) came up for concurrence in the order as
amended by the other branch, providing that DO
"bill for refreshments which include liquors and
cigars," shall be approved, etc., as therein set
forth.
Alderman Harris— Have the committee made
rules 20 and 21 [relating to refreshments and car-
riage hire! as stringent as possible?
Alderman Viles— I toink the rules are quite lib-
eral. It rests mostly with the committees what
they shall have to eat and drink. For my own
part, I would like to have accepted the rules as we
had them last year; but we had five upon the com-
mittee and they all had some rule of their own.
We had two loiig meetings and a good deal of dis-
cussion in relation to it. This was the only rule
upon whrch we could agree. It did not satisfy me
entirely, I admit; but it is the best we could get.
The Board can do as they see fit. The committees
can do as they see fit. If they want cigars or a
glass of wine, they can have it. The rules are
very broad and liberal, but I should prefer not to
see anything about wines and cigars. But we had
a good many radical members on the committee.
I hope the rules will pass as they came down from
the Council.
Alderman Whidden— I have no particular ob-
jection to these changes myself ; but it seems to
u.e to be ratner a small business to attempt to
legislate prohibitory principles down the throats
of members of the City Council. We know it is
futile to attempt to do so. If anybody on a com-
mittee wants anything to eat or to drink, he will
be likely to have it; and it looks somewhat f> me
as if it was a shield behind which somebody
wanted to take shelter. So far as I am concerned,
it does not trouble me; but it looks to me as it the
whole subject ought to be indefinitely postponed,
more especially sections 20 and 21. I suppose it is
very difficult tor any one to draw the line between
the committees. Wines come under the head of
liquors, and if you are going to prevent any one
from drinking liquors at the expense of the City,
you should include wines. But I think it is all
unnecessary and uncalled for. I have nothing to
say against the provisions of the other sections;
but so far as rule 21 is concerned, I think it is un-
necessary.
Alderman Slade— It seems to me that the rules
were well enough as they stood before. For my
life I cannot see why this committee have found
it necessary to make any change. As I under-
stand the rule the chairman of a committee can-
not invite any person to dinner; lor instance,
there are times when committees stay here
very late — eight, nine or teu o'clock— away be-
yond the usual time when the clerks of the
committees usually eat; and it has always been
the practice of committees when they have
stayed so late to invite the clerks of committees
to go wiih them to dinner. It appears to me
that under this rule they cannot do that; still the
committee, in private explanation, say if a com-
mittee votes to do that it can be done. Some-
times the reporters are invited to dine, and I
don't see how that can be done unless it is by vote
of the committee. It seems to me that the chair-
man of a committee ought to be qualified to
to judge of what is proper and be empowered to
invite persons to dine under such circumstances.
I don't like this rule very well, and very much
prefer the rules as they stood before. I do not
like to tinker with these things unless we are go-
ing to make them better, and 1 cannot see that
this is any improvement at all. I move that we
substitute the old rule for the amendment. 1
think that is a great deal better. I have looked
them over very carefully, and I say that if there
is no improvement on the old rule, we had better
let it stand as it is.
Alderman Viles— While I have no objection to
the old rule, I rather favor the report of the
committee, for it was the only cne that we could
get them to agree upon. The Alderman says it
JANUARY 21
1878
18
is customary to invite the clerks of committees
when we keep them late in the afternoon. Well,
the chairman of a committee says, Shall we take
the superintendent or the clerk with us? and I
don't think any committee or member of this
Board will say no. It all lies with the committee
and with the chairman. I rather prefer the old
rules; but if we keep them going back and forth,
we never shall get them settled. I therefore pre-
fer to adopt them as they have come down to us.
Alderman McLean — I hope the motion to ,-ubsti-
tute will not prevail. It was stated in the com-
mittee by parties who desired to have this change
made in rule 20, that they had found that last
year, on certain occasions, members of a commit-
tee had run up large bills, and that finally the
chairman was almost compelled to approve them;
that parties had taken outsiders and run up quite
a large bill, and it was proposed to make this rule
that chairmen might be backed up and say the
rules prevented them from approving the bills con-
tracted under such circumstances. It the commit-
tee say that the charge shall be approveri, of course
it will be approve 1 !. It leaves the whole thing in
the bands of the committee, and it seems to me
that the gentleman opposite should be content
with that. He may not have — I hope he will not
— any such experience as they have had
in years gone by; but should he have
any such experience, I suppose he would be glad
to be relieved by being able to say, I am not al-
lowed to do it; but if the committee approve it I
will approve it. I believe the rule is intended to
be a check upon illegitimate junketing. If a com-
mittee sit late and desire to invite the clerks or
the superintendent, it is always easy to do so; they
can take a vote to do it. At any rate, if the chair-
man is alone and invites the clerk or the superin-
tendent on his own responsibility, there is n't any
question but at the next meeting, or at some sub-
sequent meeting, his action may be approved by
the committee. It seems to me that this rule had
better be adopted and prevent the trouble and de-
lay in getting the consent of the other branch;
and therefore I hope the motion will not prevail.
Alderman Slade— It is true that by the reading
of the rule a bill can be approved if they
should have their dinner, after spending more or
less time, or enough to entitle them to a dinner;
but the bill cannot be approved unless the whole
committee vote to do so at a subsequent meeting.
The chairman cannot approve it; and supposing
the committee should vote not to approve it?
There are a good many supposable cases, as this
stands. Some committees have five members,
some eight and some more, and frequently there
are sub-committees at work on days when the
full committee do not meet; there may be four
against and four for apuroving a bill; some com-
mittees will approve bills and some will not. It
seems to leave the thing so badly mixed up that I
do not exactly like it. It is supposed that every-
body will do just what is right, and I hope they
will. As a general thing committees do. There
may be times, and there may have been times
last year, when the privilege that we take was
abused; andlhavedo doubt it is abused, and it
is liable to be abused here. But every committee
has a member of the Board of Alderman for
chairman, and every member of this Board who
looks over the bills and finds some charges that
are outrageous would not approve them. I should
not, and I don't think any other member of this
Board would. I should give committees to under-
stand that all reasonable bills will be approved;
but I think this is just as liable to abuse as the old
rule. I cannot see why it is not.
Alderman McLean— I think the gentleman's ob-
jections are hardly vital. I think it is hardly a
supposable case; for if his committee had a sub-
committee at work for the city during the interim
between the regular meetings of the committee, I
think it hardly a supposable case that there would
be any question but that the bills would be ap-
proved. It appears to me that any reasonable
body of men would approve any reasonable bills
for such services. I think we hardly have the
right to suppose that they Would not so so. I
don't think the objection will hold good.
Alderman Viles— I think the sub-committee
would certainly hold the right bower, and I have
no doubt but that they and the chairman would
vote to pay the bill.
Alderman Slade's motion to amend was lost,
and the Board concurred in the adoption of the
rules as they came from the other branch.
The Chairman announced that under the rules
just passed the Committee on Salaries had been
increased t rom five to eight members, and that a
certificate had come up of the appointment of
Messrs. Mc'Garagle and Cox on said committee.
The Chairman appointed Alderman Harris on said
committee on the part of the Jtsoard.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Chief of Police. The reports of the Chief of Po-
lice tor the quarter and for the year ending Dec.
31, 1877, were received. The former was placed on
file and the latter was sent down.
Constable's Bond. The bond of J. Stuart Mac-
Corry, Constable, being presented duly certified,
was approved by the Board.
Commissioner on Cambridge Bridges. Annual
Report. The draw of West Boston Bridge has
been opened 158G times; that of Canal Bridge, 2742
times; and that of Prison Point Bridge, 394 times.
The total expense to Boston has been $6311.13.
Sent down.
Street Commissioners. Annual Report — The
widening of Tremont and Parker streets, and the
opening of Faxon street to Smith street at Rox-
bury, $8576.50; the laying out of Shelby street at
East Boston, $7035.34; widening of River street
from Washington street to Blue Hill avenue,
$4500; the laying- out and extension of Parker
Hill avenue over Parker Hill to Parker street,
$4170.41; widening of Mill street, $3000: of Adams
street, Dorchester, $2114.75; of Ruggles street,
near the Providence Railroad, $1656; of Dorches-
ter avenue at Pond street, $1000; the laying
out of Ward street at Roxbury, $900; the open
ing of Wyman street to Lamartine street, $850;
widening of Harrison avenue near Harvard street,
$744; of Tremont street near Faxon street, $605;
of Blue Hill avenue at corner Schuyler street,
$582; of Parkman street corner of Dorchester
avenue, $340; of Warren street near Walnut
avenue, $222; of Portland street near Chardon
street, $181.25; of Rockland street at Roxbury,
£162.40; the laying out and opening of Temple
street at West Roxbury to Mount Vernon street,
$100; and the extension of Dix street to Dorches-
ter avenue, $75.
The total estimated expense of their operations
during the year the Commissioners find to be
$36,814.65. They have likewise effected the laying
out of Parker street — from the northerly line of
Boylston street extended to that part of the
street in Roxbury which was already a public
way— at no estimated expense.
A widening of Liberty square, to improve the
lines of a large estate upon which the owner con-
templates building, took 386 square feet, an equal
amount at another point on the line being discon-
tinued in exchange for it.
The discontinuances from streets made by the
commissioners during the year were 69 square feet
from High street at Charlestown; 190 from Beach
street, opposite Newton place; portions from
River street, to straighten the lines when the
above-mentioned widening was made; 26 square
feet from the junction of Cambridge and Sever
streets in Charlestown, for a small amount taken
in exchange to widen; 386 square feet from Lib-
erty square, and 196 square feet from Rockland
street at Roxbury.
Private streets released to the city and accepted
during the year were in the City Proper, Here-
ford (Marlborough to Commonwealth avenue),
Decatur street, St. James avenue (Dartmouth to
Exeter), Stevens street, Pemberton square, River
(Beacon to Chestnut), Fay street, and Dartmouth
and Lincoln places; in South Boston, Brewster
street; in Roxbury, King, Alleghany (formerly
Parker place), Maple, CunardT Crawford and
Downer streets, Woodville square, Woodward
avenue, Avon place, Codman park and West Wal-
nut park ; in Dorchester, Dix, Sagamore, Bailey,
Fuller and Greenwich streets, and Sawyer and
Everettavenues; in West Roxbury. Bishop. Burr.
Dale, Holbrook and Rutledsre streets and Luion
avenue; in Brighton. Sparhawk street, and in
Charlestown, Frothingham avenue and Bates and
Ferriu streets.
The Street Commissioners wish to inform the
honorable Council that they are constantly under
pressure to lay out as public ways a large number
of private streets in different "parts of the city,
which, while they may not be in all cases thor-
oughfares, are necessary for bnilidng purposes,
and often very convenient for the residents of the
immediate neighborhood where they are located.
The petitioners complain that they do not receive
their share of the benefits for which they are
taxed in this direction, being deprive:! not only
of proper access to their estates, but of the use of
19
BOARD OF AJl-DEPtMEN
the Coehituate water and of sewerage; as tbe de-
partments having: charge of these matters refuse
to introduce water or sewers upon streets before
they are put at tne grade necessary for their ac-
ceptance as public ways.
These streets are often occupied by people of
limited means, and are frequently in an unhealthy
as well as in an unsightly and dangerous
condition. Their acceptance works such a
change in them for the better, rendering
them safe, comfortable andclean, where they
were almost utterly uninhabitable before,
that other streets are immediately presented
to the commissioners for like treatment ;
and the Hoard of Health has otten been
forward in urging the improvement of such ways
where it has been so plainly for the sanitary
interests of the city.
From that point of view, the commissioners
believe this the fittest and most economical ex-
penditure that can be made of a part of the mon-
ey that is appropriated for the construction and
maintenance of the city streets; that at least a
hundred thousand dollars should be specially set
apart tor putting in order such streets as the com-
missioners may deem the public convenience and
necessity require to be laid out. The commis-
sioners think that the care of such streets as they
have indicated has at least equal claim upon the
city with the improved sewerage, parks.orthe cost-
ly repairing of thoroughfares already incompara-
bly superior to like streets in any city in the coun-
try, that these private streets and courts, that
are a disgrace to any city, maybe made in some
degree worthy of this one. Respectfully submit-
ted, for the Hoard of Btreet Commissioners,
Newton Talbot, Chairman.
Sent down.
Harbor Master. Annual Report— After refer-
ring in a general way to the changes in the carry-
ing trade of Boston, and the large increase of
steamers which require his attention, Mr. Gates
speaks as follows of "Further Harbor Lines";
West Side — During my first year (187G) as Har-
bor Master I found a necessity existed for a fur-
ther change of "ranges" for anchorage lor small
vessels, caused by tbe extension of the sea wall on
the line of the channel, known as "Fort Point,"
nearly to Foster's wharf.
This promiscuous anchoring caused serious
troubles and deiav to the line steamers arriving
and departing from New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore. Their movements were much ham-
pered. My suggestions to the Harbor Committee
were duly "considered, and authority was given me
to carry out my suggestions.
The cnange I effected relieved the difficulty and
gave greater room for the movements of these
steamers, which as a class are large and heavy.
East Side— i was under the necessity (under au-
thority from the Harbor Committee) of making a
change in the anchoring ground at and near the
various docks at East Boston, including those
owned and operated by the Boston & Albany
Railroad, so that the movements of large ships
coming there to load grain at the "elevators," as
well as other meicbandise, should be unobstruct-
ed. I had seen the necessity for a change, and
strongly urged it to the committee.
Added to this change, which involved much
labor, there were several dredges employed in the
excavation of a "shoal" off Cunard and Boston
& Albany docks. This work was being done un-
der the supervision of the Harbor Commissioners.
I was compelled to change the position of these
dredges seven (7) times, so as to allow the several
steamers and large ships to approach and depart
from the several docks. I removed them three (3)
times in addition, to allow the steamer of the
Leland line to get in and out of dock.
In conclusion I will say that the regulations
controlling Boston Harbor are, I think, sufficient
at present for the rapid and convenient move-
ments of our steam and sailing tonnage, and I
find no difficulty in enforcing them ; but constant
vigilance is necessary, to see that no one interest
shall intrude upon "another, when they are so
diversified.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows :
Wagon Licenses Granted — Daniel Hurley, Swan
street; P. M. Cousens, 17 Camden street; Dike &
Burchard, 192 Hampden street; E. Sheehan, India
Market ; S. L. Hill, Dorchester avenue, near Pre-
ble street; William H. Martin, corner Parker and
Centre streets; Wiuslow & Co., two express wag-
ons.
Auctioneers Licensed— James J. Dennis, 20 Court
street (renewal); D. A. Hal), 231 Washington
street (renewal); Barry & Locke, 54 Dorchester
avenue; Gilbert Wait, 390 Broadway.
Victuallers Licensed— Edward ft. Hutchinson,
4 Central square, East Boston ; Willis M. Wheeler,
491 Harris-oil avenue.
Amusement Licenses Granted— J. W. Cadwell, to
give exhibitions of mesmerism at Amory Hall for
six weeks, except Sundays; A. P. Peck," to give a
cat show.
Intelligence Office Licensed— Christiana E. Bell,
89 Court street.
Skating Rink Lice sed— J. S. Dow, on Liberty
square, on consideration that no intoxicating
liquors are sold on the premises, and that the
wooden buildings are approved by the Inspector
of Buildings.
Severally accepted.
Ordered", That all licenses granted to minors for
the pursujt of any vocation, or for the sale of any
fruits or provisions whatever, live animals,
brooms, agricultural implements, fuel, news-
papers, books or pamphlets, agricultural products
of the United States, the products of his own
labor, or any labor of his own family, for which
licenses are by law required to be granted by this
Board, shall be granted upon the following terms
and conditions, which shall be inserted in the cer-
tificate, with such other conditions and regula-
tions as this Board may deem expedient, viz. :
1. No minor shall be licensed as a hawker or
pedler, or as a bootblack, in this city, except upon
application of his parent, guardian or next friend.
2. Every minor so licensed shall attend some
school, .approved by the School Committee, each
day during the school year.
3. All licenses shall specify the articles to be sold,
or the business to be pursued, and the licenses
issued to bootblacks shall contain the places as-
signed therefor.
4. Each minor licensed by the Board of Alder-
men shall, at all times while engaged in the busi-
ness for which he is licensed, wear, conspicuous-
ly in sight, a badge, with the word "Licensed"
and;the number of his license thereon; a neglect
so to do shall be a sufficient cause for a revocation
of said license.
5. No minor so licensed shall sell any articles,
or pursue any business for which he may be li-
censed, at any other place than that mentioned in
his license.
6. Minors so licensed shall not congregate to-
gether, make any unnecessary noise, or in any
other way disturb or annoy persons as they pass.
7. All licenses shall be granted for a definite
period, and all licenses which are not for a short-
er period shall terminate on the first Monday in
January, in each successive year, and all licenses
which are not expressed for a shorter period shall
extend to the close of the municipal year.
8. Each minor so licensed shall exhibit his
license to any officer of the city for inspection,
when required so to do, and the same shall not be
transferred, exchanged, borrowed or lenr, nor
shall he employ, or furnish with papers to sell,
any unlicensed minor, on pain of forfeiture of
said license.
9. Stands for the purpose of blacking boots
and shoes may be located in such places as shall
not interfere with the convenience or the public,
and they shall be under the immediate supervi-
sion of the truant officer in whose district such
stands may be located, and the said officer shall
be responsible for the good order and discipline
of the occupants.
10. Truaut officers may designate and establish
such number of stands for bootblacks within
their several districts as, in their judgment, the
fiublic good may require, and no more than one
iceosea minor shall occupy any such stand; and
any such minor who allows idle persons to assem-
ble around him at such stand shall have his per-
mit annulled.
11. The violation of tbe laws of the State, the
ordinances of the city, or the terms and condi-
tions herein prescribed, shall operate as a for-
feiture of this license.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Whidden submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving:
Report ot leave to withdraw on petition of Ed-
win R. Frost to erect a post in sidewalk 109-113
Devonshire street. Accepted.
Reports that leave be granted to move wooden
buildings by M. Ellis & Co., from 331 Princeton
street to 338 Bennington street; John Devine,
JAN U ARY
21
1878
20
from Keyes street to rear of same street, Ward 23.
Severally accepted.
Report and order for hearing on Monday, Feb.
11, at four o'clock P. M. on petition of Cambridge
Railroad Company to ran cars to Summer street.
Order Dassed.
Orders to authorize the Superintendent of
Streets to lay crosswalks and pave gutters on the
public streets of the city when deemed expedi-
ent by the Committee on Paving ; to erect fences in
front" of vacant lots on public streets when the
public safety requires the same ; to furnish and
set edgestones and pave sidewalks on any portion
of public streets when the abutters agree in writ-
ing to pay one half the cost thereof; to number or
renumber any street, court or place within the
city limits, whenever the public, convenience will
be promoted thereby; to grant permits to
open the streets, in accordance with the
eleventh and twelfth sections of the Re-
vised Ordinances ot 1876 relating to streets,
to contract, from time to time, for the
purchase, sale and exchange of horses, the supply
of hay, grain, paving stones, gravel and other
materials required for the operations of the Pav-
ing Department during the present muncipal
year. Severally read twice and passed.
Schedule of cost of certain edgestones and
order for collection of the same. Orders read
twice and passed.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Streets be
and he is hereby empowered and directed to
remove without delay any and all structures or
things which may hereafter be built into or upon
the sidewalks of public ways in this city, so as to
hinder, incommode or endanger persons travel-
ling thereon, or which obstruct or encumber the
way.
Alderman McLean asked for an explanation of
this order.
Alderman Whidden — It has reference to any ob-
struction that may be erected by any individual
in or upon any sidewalk. It is more especially
for the prevention of encroachments over the
street lines in building operations. The principal
object of the order is that in case any obstructions
are placed over the sidewalk or the street lines,
the Superintendent of Streets will have power to
remove them. It is virtually an order for the en-
forcement of the present ordinance.
Alderman McLean — I would inquire if this has
reference to apple and other fruit stands on the
sidewalks?
Alderman Whidden— No, sir, it has nothing to
do with them.
Alderman McLean — Then I have nothing to say;
but I did hope it would have something in refer-
ence to them, and when that case comes up I shall
have something to say about them.
The order was read twice and passed.
CITY SURVEYOR'S DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Faunce offered an order — That the
City Surveyor be authorized, with the approval
of the Joint Standing Committee on the Survey-
or's Department, to make such purchases of sup-
plies, instruments, drawing materials, and to in-
cur such other expenses as may be necessary for
that department during the present municipal
year. Read twice and passed. Sent down.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Alderman Faunce, from the Joint Committee
on Public Lands, submitted a report and order —
That the Collector be and he hereby is authorized
to cancel the bond numbering fifty-eight in the
Suffolk-street district, the amount of which is
$4745.45, and given by William Corbett for an es-
tate on Chapman street, upon his surrendering
the agreement to convey the same, and that the
Superintendent of Public Lands {be direct-
ed to issue a new agreement with all the
conditions as set forth in the previous one,
upon the said William Corbett giving to the city a
bond in the sum of $4745.45, made payable in eight
instalments, the first instalment of $594.45 to be
paid upon the signing of said bond, and the seven
annual instalments of $593 each upon the 29th
day of January in each year, until the full
amount is paid, with interest at six per cent,;
said bond and agreement to be dated Jan. 29,
1878. Read twice and passed. Sent down.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Viles, from the Committee on Police,
submitted orders— That the Committee on Police
be authorized to make such repairs as may be
necessary for the care and preservation of the
several police stations and the police steamboat;
to make such arrangements as they may deem ex-
pedient for keeping the horses used in the Police
Department; to purchase from time to time such
furniture and supplies as may be required for the
use of the Police Department: the expenses sev-
erally to be charged to the appropriation for
Police. Severally read twice and passed.
STABLES.
Alderman Viles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health on the part of the Board
that leave be granted on the usual conditions to
occupy stables, by R. A. Upton, Zeigler street;
William Donnahue, Dickens street; F. G. Cass,
rear North Harvard street; Ellen M. Murphy,
Hyde street. Severally accepted.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Alderman Slade submitted the following from
the Joint Committee on Public Buildings:
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Public
Buildings, under the direction of the Committee
on Public Buildings, be authorized to supply the
necessary furniture, and cause to be made such
repairs and cleaning as may be necessary in the
several high, grammar and primary schoolhouses;
the expense therefor to be charged to the appro-
priation for Schoolhouses, Public Buildings. Read
twice and passed. Sent down.
Ordered, That the Superintendent of Public
Buildings, under the direction of the Joint Stand-
ing Committee on Public Buildings, be authorized
to supplj the necessary furniture for, and cause
such repairs to be made, and cleaning, as may be
needed upon the City Hali ; also such repairs upon
the police stations and engine houses, together
with other public buildings as are not made by
the respective departments using the same, the
expense to be charged to the appropriation for
Public Buildings. Read twice and passed. Sent
down.
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Alderman Slade, from the Committee on County
Buildings, offered the following:
Ordered, That the Committee on County Build-
ings be and they are hereby authorized to cause
such repairs and alterations to be made as may be
needed on the Court House, County Jail and Pro-
bate buildings; also, on the Municipal Court
rooms in the Highlands, Dorchester, West Rox-
bury, Brighton, Charlestown, East and South
Boston, provided such repairs and alterations
shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars
on any one building during the municipal year;
the expense therefor to be charged to the appro-
priation for the County of Suffolk. Read twice
and passed
Ordered, That the Committee on CountyBuildings
be and they are hereby authorized to provide the
necessary furniture for the Court House and Pro-
bate'Building; also foijthejMunicipa) Court rooms,
Highlands, Dorchester, West Roxbury, Brighton,
Charlestown, East and South Boston, the expense
therefor to be charged to the appropriation for
the County of Suffolk. Read twice and passed.
CITY ENGINEER'S DEPART3IENT.
Alderman Robinson, from the Committee on
Engineer's Department, offered an order— That
the City Engineer be authorized, with the approv-
al of the Joint Standing Committee on Engineer's
Department, to make such purchases of supplies,
instruments and drawing materials, and to incur
such other expenses as may be necessary for that
department during the present municipal year.
REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION
FOR SEWERS.
Aldermau Viles submitted the following (Cltv
Doc. 13):
The Committee on Sewers request an additional
appropriation of nine thousand dollars for that
department to defray the ordinary expenses until
May 1, The deficiency in the appropriation has
been caused by the transfer to this department
from the Paving Department of the construction
of all the catch-basins for street water and their
connections. This expenditure was not counted
upon in fixing the appropriation, and has amount-
ed to $43,000.' The details which govern the com-
mittee in asking for the above amount are as fol-
lows :
Already expended #147 .666.94
Draft for 1st February 3.800.60
Ordinary office and labor pay roils for
March and April 4.500.00
Other expenses 3,000.00
#158,966.94
Appropriation 150.000.00
21
BOARD OF ALDERMEJN
Excess 88,966.94
For the committee.
Clinton Viles, Chairman.
Alderman Viles— However much I dislike to
come to this Board this early in the season to
ask for an additional appropriation for a commit-
tee of which I am chairman, I think this request
explains itself and should be granted. In making
np the appropriation for the Sewer Department
at the first ot the year it is almost impossible to
say what money will be required, not knowing
what petitions for sewers will come in— and
we virtually have to guess at it. When the
estimates were made the committee had
built about five miles of sewers, besides
repairing a great many drains. When our
estimates were made up at the last February,
we wete not aware that we should have the catch
basins to build, they having heretofore been built
by the Paving Committee. But after several
meetings and much discussion it was transferred
to the Sewer Committee, and we have built them
at an expense this year of forty-six thousand dol-
lars, and that is the reason we are compelled to
ask for an additional appropriation. The season
has been an unusually open one, and the men
have worked a month later than they have for
years.
On motion of Alderman Viles, the request was
referred to the Finance Committee. Sent down.
IMPROVED SEWERAGE.
Alderman Whidden offered an order— That the
leave of absence to the City Engineer for the pur-
pose of examining the systems of sewerage in
Eurooe, by an order of the City Council, passed
Oct. 9, 1877, be and the same is hereby extended
one mouth. Read twice and passed. Sent down.
LAND DAMAGES.
Alderman Perkins, from the Committee on
Streets on the part of the Board, offered orders
to pay for land and street damages— Isaac Fenno,
$118, widening Warren street; James G. Haynes,
$533.75, widening of Adams street. Severally read
twice and passed.
EXTENSION OF WEST CHESTER PARK.
Alderman Perkins ottered an order— That the
Board of Street Commissioners report to this
Board upon the expediency and approximate ex-
pense of changing the line of West Chester park
at the bend west of and near Huntington avenue,
by substituting a suitable curve in place of the
existing angle. Passed.
MYSTIC VALLEY' RAILROAD.
Aluermau Harris ottered an order — That the
City Solicitor, under the direction of the Commit-
tee on the Harbor on the part of this Board, be re-
quested to appear before the Harbor Commission-
ers on the 24th inst., and request a postponemont
ol the proposed bearing on the subject of the
Mystic Valley Railroad Bridge across Charles
River, until this Board has passed upon the peti-
tion of said Mystic Valley Railroad Company, for
the approval of the route and terminus of said
railroad within this city. Read twice and passed.
KKYISINc; THE NAMES OF STREETS.
Aldermen Viles offered an order— That the Com-
mittee on Paving be requested to cousider the
expediency of revising the names of streets so as
to prevent the designation of more than one street
by the same name. Passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS RE81 MED.
Alderman Guild offered an order— That the sev-
eral standing committees of this Board resume
the unfinished business of the last year which is
appropriate to said committees. Read twice and
passed.
ROXIH'KV CANAL.
A petition was received from David W. Cheever,
M. D., et al., for immediate action in the matter
of the Roxbury Canal nuisance. Laid on the
table until the opinion of the City Solicitor is re-
ceived.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman McLean.
COMMON COUNCIL.
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 24, 1878.
Regular meeting at 7V 2 o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, iu the chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOABD OF ALDERMEN,
Annual reports of Harbor Master, Chief of Po-
lice, Commissioner on Cambridge Bridges and
Street Commissioners. Severally placed on tile.
Reference to Committee on Finance of a request
for an additional appropriation of $9000 for Sewer
Department. Concurred.
Orders for furniture to be supplied to the sev-
eral schoolhouses and the City Hall, and for re-
pairs and cleaning to be made on said buildings,
the police stations, engine houses and certain
other public buildings during the present year.
Ordered to a second reading.
Order for City Engineer to make purchases of
supplies, instruments and drawing materials, and
incur other necessary expenses during present
year, for his department ; and order for City Sur-
veyor to do the same for his department. Sev-
erally ordered to a second reading.
Order to cancel the bond of William Corbett for
an estate on Chapman street, and to issue a new
agreement therefor, as therein set forth. Read
twice and passed in concurrence.
Order to extend leave of absence to City Engi-
neer one month for examination of systems of
sewerage in Europe. Read twice and passed in
concurrence.
ELECTIONS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Certificates came down of the elections of city
officers as follows :
For Trustees of Public Library— Alderman
Guild, and Messrs. Shepard and Coe.
For Trustees of City Hospital— Alderman Per-
kins, and Messrs. Spenceley and Roberts.
For Directors foi Public Institutions — Alderman
Viles, and Messrs. E. H. Sampson and Sibley.
For Directors of East Boston Ferries— Alderman
McLean, and Messrs. Hibbard and Pearl.
For Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetery— Alderman
Hayden, and Messrs. Perham and B. Brintuall.
The certificates were severally placed on file,
ana elections were ordered in each case, with the
following results :
Trustees of Public Library. Committee— Messrs.
Barnard of Ward 24, Burke,of Ward 2, and McDon-
ald of Ward 12.
Whole number of votes 64
Necessary for a choice 33
Alderman Curtis Guild had 64
Councilman H. N. Shepard 60
" H. F. Coe 64
" Charles S. Perham 3
" RogerWolcott 1
And Messrs. Guild, Shepard and Coe were elected
in concurrence.
Trustees of Kt. Hope Cemetery. Committee —
Messrs. Webster of Ward 3, Ward of Ward 21 and
Nason of Ward 17.
Whole number of votes 61
Necessary for a choice 31
Alderman Charles Hayden had 61
Councilman Charles S. Perham 60
" B. Brintuall 52
" Robert Cox 1
D. A.Flynn 1
And Messrs. Hayden, Perham and B. Brintnall
were elected in concurrence.
Directors of East Boston Ferries. Committee-
Messrs. McGaragle of Ward 8, Roberts of Ward 4,
and Santry of Ward 19.
Whole number of votes 67
Necessary for a choice 84
Alderman Charles R. McLean had 65
Councilman S. P. Hibbard 63
" Edward Pearl — 65
J.J.Doherty 1
Blank 1
And Messrs. McLean, Hibbard and Pearl were
elected in concurrence.
Trustees of the City Hospital. Committee —
Messrs. Thompson of Ward 9, Perham of Ward 23,
and Sampson of Wa/d 18.
Whole number of votes 68
N ecessar y for a choice 35
Alderman Samuel C. Perkins 67
Councilman C. J. Spenceley 63
Peter S. Roberts 64
" O.H.Sampson 3
J. H.Danforth 1
And Messrs. Perkins, Spenceley and Roberts were
declared elected in concurrence.
Directors for Public Institutions. Committee —
Messrs. Pearl of Ward 1, Hill of Ward 14, and Day
of Ward 5.
Whole nurrber of votes 70
Necessary for a choice 36
Alderman Viles had 68
Councilman E. H. Sampson 61
" E. Sibley 66
" N.J. Rust 4
I. Rosnosky 1
R.M.Thompson 1
" J. B. Richardson 1
" RogerWolcott l
And Messrs. Viles, E. H.Sampson and Sibley were
declared elected in concurrence.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Order for Superintendent of Health to contract
for horses and exchanges, hay, grain, vehicles,
and materials for his department during the pres-
ent year. Passed. Sent up.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 presented the annual re-
port of the Superintendent of Public Lands. (City
Doc. 11.)
During the year 1877 no sales of lands were
made by the committee, and it is the first time
since the Superintendent came into office, in 1854,
but what, in his annual report, some sales have
been alluded to as taking place during each year.
A number of applications for the purchase of
laud were received and prices fixed for the sale
thereof ; but, being unsatisfactory, and the offer
as afterwards made by the applicants being below
the assessed value, it was not deemed advisable
by the committee to accept the same, and they re-
spectfully declined to sell.
Forty thousand and eighty-one feet of land have
been taken possession or during the year by or-
ders of the City Council, and $4807.67 have been
received and paid to Collector. The expenditures
of the department proper have been $3241.83, and
$234.98 on Suffolk-street district. The amount of
salable lands in charge of the department is as
follows :
In city proper 390,286 sq. f f
10,492 "
" South Boston 578,434 "
" Highlands 750,130 "
'* Dorchester 1,761,253 "
" Charlestown 49,540 "
" WestRoxbury 48,816 "
" Northampton-street District 183,708 "
And two tracts in Brighton.
Sent up.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
A communication was received from the Board
of Health, for the transfer of $300 from the special
appropriation for building a fever hospital on
Gallop's Island to the general appropriation. This
is asked for the purpose of making additions and
repairs on the remaining buildings on the island.
Referred to Committee on Finance. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Santry of Ward 19— Petition of William
Clark for the extension of Weston street in Ward
19. Referred to the Street Commissioners. Sent
up.
By Mr. Mullen of Ward 13— Petition of Boston
pilots in favor of reelection of F. C. Cates as Har-
bor Master. Referred to joint special committee
on that subject. Sent up.
By Mr. Richardson o: Ward 10— Petitious of
Ann Morris, to be compensated for personal in-
juries received by falling on fan icy sidewalk on
Cambridge street, Charlestown, on Dec. 28. 1876;
and Charles F. Sbimmin et aL, to be refunded a
half part of a tax paid as trustee of the will of
Peter Parker, with interest. Severally referred
to the Joint Committee on Claims. Sent down.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PRINTING.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 submitted a repo r t from
the Committee on Ordinances on the order re-
ferred to them among the unfinished business of
last year to report an ordinance to provide for the
appointment of a Superintendent of Printing,
recommending the passage of the following:
An Ordinance to Amend an Ordinance in Relation
to Printing.
Be it ordained, etc.
Section 1. The ordinance relating to printing
is hereby amended by striking out the third and
38
COMMON COUNCIL,
fourth sections and inserting the following in
place thereof:
•Sect. 3. The Mayor shall forthwith appoint,
subject to the approval of the City Council by
vote taken by ballot in each branch thereof, by
yea and nay, a Superintendent of Printing, to hold
office until the first day of July, 1881, and until his
successor is duly chosen and qualified; and on
every third year after the present the Mayor shall
with like approval appoint a Superintendent of
Printing tor a term of three years from the rirst
day ot , Inly in the year of such appointment, and
until his successor is chosen and qualified. A va-
cancy in said office shall be tilled tor the unexpir-
ed term in the same manner as the original ap-
pointment is required to be made, but in case of a
vacancy, or of disability of the Superintendent to
perform the duties ot his office, cue Mayor may,
with the approval of the Joint Standing Commit-
tee on Printing, appoint a Superintendent pro tem-
pore. The Mayor ina<- also, subject to the ap-
proval of the City Council, declared in the manner
above set forth, remove any Superintendent of
Printing.
"Sect. 4. The Superintendent of Printing shall
be a person who is a practical printer, and well
versed in the various branches of the arts of
printing and book binding. He shall not be in-
terested directly or indirectlv in any print-
ing, binding, stock or stationery for the City
Government or for any department thereof. He
shall give bond in the penal sum ot five thousand
dollars for the faithful performance of the duties
of his office. He shall receive such compensation
as the City Council may from time to time deter-
mine, and he shall annually submit to the City
Council a report of the amount of printing, bind-
ing, stock and stationery done for or supplied to
each department of the City Government, and the
cost thereof, and generally of all matters trans-
acted under his superintendence."
Ordered to a second reading.
JOIST RULES AM) 0KDBB8.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 submitted reports from
the Joint Special Committee on Rules and Orders
of the City Council, as follows:
Proceedings of Committees. Report on the
order to keep proceedings of committees from the
public until committees have reported to the City
Council— That, in their opinion the regulation of
such matters should be left to the discretion of
the several committees, and therefore it is inexpe-
dient to adopt the order. Accepted. Sent up.
Regulation of Carriage Hire. Report that they
deem it expedient that the hiring of carriages at the
city's expense should be regulated and a record of
the same kept, and recommending the passage of
an order— That the Joint Rules and Orders of the
City Council be amended by inserting after sec-
tion 20 the following:
"Section 21. All carriages furnished to members
of the City Government sball,whenevcr practicable,
be ordered through the City Messenger, and when
not so ordered the person who orders them shall
forthwith give notice thereof to the City Messen-
ger, and in all cases the party who furnishes a
carriage shall, within seven days thereafter, re-
turn to the City Messenger, a detailed statement
of the names of the persons who used the same,
and of the time during which and the purposes
for which it was used."
The order was read twice and passed, by a rising
vote— (in for, against. Sent up.
estates sold for taxes, etc.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 submitted the follow-
ing:
The Joint Standing Committee on Treasury De-
partment beg leave to submit herewith a schedule,
furnished by the City Collector, of estates which
have been purchased from time to time by the
city at sales made on account of non-payment of
taxes and other assessments. The city be-
came the purchaser of these estates under
the law which provides that if. within
ten days after the sale of real estate for the pay-
ment of taxes, any purchaser thereof shall fail to
pay to the collector the sum offered by him and
receive his deed, the sale shall be deemed to be
null and void, and the citv shall be deemed to be
the purchaser of the estate (1862, chap. 183). In
other cases the city became the purchaser, undei
a provision of the same statute which requires
that if no person shall appear and bid for an
estate offered for sale, the sale shall be postponed
from day to day for a term not exceeding
seven days, and then, if there is no bid
for the estate, the collector shall pur-
chase the estate in behalf of the city. Your com-
mittee are of the opinion that the city should
formally take possession of this property in order
that it. may have the benefit of any income which
may be derived from it, and also that the estates
may be sold in any cases where it may be deemed
for the interest of the city. They would therefore
respectfully recommend* the passage of the ac-
companying order:
Ordered, That the Committee on Public Lands
be authorized to tak, possession of the estates
named in the accompanying schedule, said estates
having been sold for unpaid assessments, and of
which the city has become the purchaser, and
said committee is hereby invested with the same
powers in relation thereto that they now have in
other matters.
Read twice and passed. Sent up.
"finance committee.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24 announced that the Fi-
nance Committee on the part of the Common
Council had met today and organized by the
choice of Eugene H. Sampson of Ward 17 as chair-
man and Alfred T. Turner as clerk.
DISPOSITION OF TOI'Its IN THE HAYOB'S ADBBESS.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 submitted a report from
the joint special committee to report what dispo-
sition should be made of the several topics in the
Mayor's inaugural address, recommending the
passage of the following:
Ordered, That so much ol the Mayor's address
as relates to the registration of voters and modes
of conducting elections be i eterred to the Joint
Standing Committee on Legislative Matters.
That so much of the Mayor's address as relates
to refreshments and carriage hire be referred to
the Joint Special Committee on Rules and Orders
of the City Council.
That so much of the Mayor's address as relates
to the assessment ot taxes be referred to the Joint
Standing Committee on Assessors' Department.
That so much of the Mayor's address
as relates to placing the administration
of police and the issuing ot licenses
in charge, of a Board of Commissioners be. re-
ferred to the Joint Standing Committee on Or-
dinances.
That so much of the Mayor's addiess as re-
lates to the improvement of the Back Bay Park
and Charles River Embankment be referred to
the Joint Special Committee on Public, Parks.
That so much of the Mayor's address as relates
to placing the public pleasure grounds under the
Board of Park Commissioners be referred to the
Joint Standing Committee on Common and Pub-
lic Grounds.
That so much ot the Mayor's address as relates
to the Public Library be referred to the .Joint
Standing Committee on Public Library.
Ordered, That so much of the Major's address
as relates to the Lunatic Hospital be relerred to
his Honor the Mayor, with a request that be will
confer with the State authorities and the Board.
ot Directors for Public Institutions in relation to
the transfer of the patients from the Lunatic Hos-
pital at South Boston to the State Asylum at Dan-
vers.
Read twice and passed. Sent up.
free sour.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 submitted a report
from the Committee on Finance on the order in-
troduced into the last City Council, authorizing
the Board of Aldermen to provide soup for the
worthy poor during the winter months, at an ex-
pense not exceeding $4800— That, under the provi-
sions of chapter 374 of the acts of the General
Court for the year 1K74, the amount which the city
can appropriate for that purpose is limited to
§4574. As there are only two months remaining in
which it has been customary to furnish such re-
lief, your committee recommend the passage of
the order in a new draft, as appended, making an
appropriation of $3200.
Ordered, That the Board of Aldermen be and it
is hereby authorized to provide soup for the wor-
thy poor during the months of February and
March, 1X78, at an expense not exceeding three
thousand two hundred dollars; and the Auditor of
Accounts is hereby arthorized to transfer from
the Reserved Fund the sum of $3200, to consti-
tute a special appropriation to he entitled "Tem-
porary Relief of the Poor."
Passed to a second reading.
Mr. Spenceley moved a suspension of the rule
that the order might take its second reading.
JANUARY
24
1878
24
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11—1 hope the rule will not
be suspended. It is a grave and important mat-
ter, and I should like to consider it a little fur-
ther. 1 should like a little time to consider it.
Mr. Spenceley — If it is a very grave and important
one to the gentleman who has just sat down, it
must be a grave and important one to the poor
people in Boston who have nothing to feed them-
selves with. It is an order that was laid over
from last year, and it seems to me the gentleman
has had time to consider it. I hope the rule will
be suspended, and that we shall pass the order
tonight, so that the poor people of Boston may
have something on which they may be fed.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9— There are certain
statistics on this subject of the distribution of
soup that it may be well to present before the
Couucil before this order passes. I think it is an
important matter and I hope the rule will not be
suspended.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— Statistics may be
very interesting to the public, but they will not
feed poor people.
Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16— I hope the rule will
be suspended. I think reasons enough have been
given why we should not delay it until next meet-
ing. If we should do so it might take until the
middle of the month of February before it can be
passed and we be able to do anything for the poor.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley, a yea and nay vote
was ordered on the question of suspending the rule.
The rule was suspended — yeas 60, nays 10: —
Yeas— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, Brown, B. Brint-
nall, N. Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Clapp, Col-
by, Cox, Day, Denny, Devlin, Doherty, Drvnan,
Fernald, Flynn, Ham, Hill, Rowland, Kelley,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lauten, Lovering, McDon-
ald, McGahey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane,
Mullen, Nason, O'Connor, Pearl, Perham, Plimp-
ton, J. B. Richardsou, Roach, Roberts, Rosnosky,
Rust, E. H. Sampson, Santry, H. N. Sawyer, N.
Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith, Spenceley, J. F.
Taylor, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Toppan, Ward, Web-
ster, Whicher, Wilson, Wolcott, Woolley, Wy-
man— 60.
Nays — Messrs. Barnard, Coe, Crocker, Danforth,
Hibbard, Mowry, Pierce, M. W. Richardson,
O. H. Sampson, Thompson— 10.
Absent or not voting — Mr. Hollis — 1.
The order was read a second time and put upon
its passage.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved to amend the
order by inserting after the words "worthy poor"
the words "of Boston."
Mr. McGaragle asked if it was necessary to in-
sert where it is to be distributed.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 said the Board of Al-
dermen had always provided for that.
Mr. Sampson's amendment was adopted.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 moved to amend so
that th j aid shall be distributed under the direc-
tion of the Overseers of the Poor.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 certainly hope that
the amendment will not prevail. As I said be-
fore, statistics will not feed the poor; and if they
have to go through all the red tape of the Over-
seers of the Poor they will never receive any soup.
It has been a custom, year after year, to attempt
to hook that same amendment on to the order,
and it has always been voted down, and I hope we
will do it tonight. If we are going to do anything
for humanity in its present suffering condition,
let us do it in the way that will reach them imme-
diately. If we attempt anything of that kind, it
will be the Fourth of July before the soup will
reach them. I hope the amendment will not pre-
vail.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5—1 object to the amend-
ment. This soup is intended to be given to the
worthy poor, not to paupers. I may nol be much
upon quoting law, but I think that if any one re-
ceives help from the poor he goes upon the books
as a pauper. This is intended for deserving poor
citizens who need temporary relief. Whatever
statistics can be obtained from the police as to
the needs of these people, I hope will be obtained;
but I would rather not see it distributed by the
Overseers of the Poor for that reason.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 have been informed
that when this distribution has taken place here-
tofore, the cooking has taken up about all the
funds, and that a very miserable substitute for
soup is furnished, and that it is very doubtful if
it got into the hands of the worthy poor. I think
it is very doubtful whether under the statute pro-
viding for the relief of the poor the city has any
legal right to distribute or provide for the relief
of the poor except through the superintendence
of the overseers. They have a central bureau in
which is collected all the information regarding
the worthy poor; they are always relieving those
people, and it is a question whether they should
be relieved in any other way than that pre-
scribed by the statute. This is providing a special
fund for the purpose and providing entirely new
machinery. It can no doubt be done as we'll and
as efficiently by the Overseers of the Poor as by
the police. The gentleman from Ward 8 seems to
doubt whether it can be done as well by the
agency of the Overseers of the Poor. That is the
agency provided by the statute. We put into their
hands an appropriation amounting to $60,000 or
$70,000, and if we can trust them to expend that
amount, I think we can trust them to spend this.
Mr. McGaragle— I recognize all the goodness of
the Overseers of the Poor; but this is an exoendi-
ture authorized by the Legislature of 1874 for this
particular purpose.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11— I would simply call at-
tention to the report of the Chief of Police, City
Document 7, on page 29, in the eighth line. He
says —
"This charity should be under the supervision
of the Overseers of the Poor."
That, at all events, shows what is his opinion on
the subject, and all will agree that he is as well
qualified to judge as anyone in the city of Boston.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11 — The act to which the
gentleman from Ward 8 refers makes no provision
for the distribution oi this relief. It merely pro-
vides for the city to appropriate a certain amount
for relief, the provision having already been made
for its distribution — which is the Overseers of the
Poor.
Mr. McGaragle— it is news to me that the Legis-
lature yet provided an act for the distribution of
anything. They make laws fir this purpose, and
they are competent to make laws: but they leave
the distribution of the matter to the City Govern-
ment.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19— Dire necessity in this
matter calls for this Council to do away with red
tape, and pass the order offered by the gentleman
from Ward 17.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I appreciate the
motive of the gentleman from Ward 9 in attempt-
ing to place this charity in the hands of those who
know the needs of the poor,and feel the dire neces-
sity for it. Yet I feel the necessity of affording
this relief at once, if anything is to be done at all.
Similar relief has Deen given to the poor for quite
a number of years— six, eight or nine — and it has
been distributed under the direction of the Board
of Aldermen, and more particularly by the Com-
mittee on Police at the various station houses. 1
am informed that the means of distributing it
in that way are at hand, and can be used at
once; and I think it is obvious to any gen-
tleman here, who will reflect for a moment, that
to put it into the hands of new parties, who
are not provided with the means— I mean all the
various implements and machinery— required, it
must take a long time; and it is an old adage that
while the grass grows the horse starves ; and
while we are waiting for the manufacture of
kitchens and ovens the poor will starve. For
this year, therefore, I think this relief should be
distributed by the parties who have done it for
years back, and for the reasons I have given. But
I do think that generally the Overseers of the
Poor should have it, and had this order been of-
fered earlier in the season, when we could have
provided those things, I should have felt that we
ought to put the distribution of the charity for
the poor in the hands of those persons who are
best qualified by experience to judge of the wants
of the poor.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 would ask why,
when the machinery is all prepared, it will take
any longer to distribute it under the direction of
the Overseers of the Poor than the Committee on
Police?
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I cannot tell the
reasou, but I think it will take some time loxger
by the use of red tape. I cannot see how the
means we are to give to the poor can reaoh them
so quickly as by the ordinary channels which we
are accustomed to use. I think the gentleman is
right, as I have stated, upon the great principle;
but it has come so late in the season, and
the exigency is so great, as we all know, and
therefore 1 think we ought to sacrifice something
of principle— which I dislike ever to do, but I will
do even that to prevent starvation; and it we do
anything, it should be done now. Therefore,
while this appropriation is not very large, I think
a 5
COMMON COUNCIL
the best way to do it is in the way it has been
done heretofore, for I think the relief will reach
the poor quicker, and that is the great object at
this time.
On motion of Mr. Barry of Ward 22, the main
question was ordered.
Mr. Thompson's amendment was lost.
The order was passed— yeas 61, nays 7:
Yeas — Messrs. Barnard, Barry, Brawley, B.
Brintnal), N. Y. Briutnall, Burke, Cannon, Clapp,
Coe, Colby, Cox, Crocker, Day, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Ham, Hibbard,
Hill, Hollis, Howland, Kelley, Kendricken, Kid-
ney, Lauton, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey, Mc-
Ga'ragle, McCeough, Mullane, Mullen, S'ason,
O'Connor, Pearl, Perhaou, Plimpton, J. B. Rich-
ardson, Roach, Roberts, Rosnosky. Rust, Santry,
H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith,
Spenceley, J. F. Taylor, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Top-
pan, Ward, Webster. Wbicher. Wilson, Woolley,
Wyman- 61.
Says— Ale-sis. Danforth, Mowry, Pierce, M. W.
Richardson, O. H. Sauipson.Thotupsoo.Wolcott— 7.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Brown, Hollis, E.
H. Sampson.
Subsequently Mr. Spenceley moved a reconsid-
eration, hoping it would not prevail, which was
lost. Sent up.
PERMITS FOB AVOODKN BUILDINGS.
Mr. McGaragle submitted the following from
the Joint Committee on Survey and Inspection of
Buildings:
Report of leave to withdraw on petition of
Henry Dudley for leave to enlarge a wooden build-
inff on Elm street, Ward 23. Accepted. Sent up.
Report and order for a permit to be issued to
Samuel O. Reed to erect a woodeu building on
Carleton street. Ward 15, according to application
on rile in the office of the Inspector of Buildings.
Order read twice and passed.
Report of leave to withdraw on the petition of
Thomas Mayo for modification of condition for
erection of a stable in Ward 28. Accepted. Sent
up.
HARBOR HASTES, POLICE AM' 1 IKK BOATS.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 offered an order-
That a joint special committee,consisting of three
members of the Common Council, with such as
the Board of Aldermen may join, be a committee
to ascertain and report if any aud what changes
can be made in the duties now performed by the
Harbor Master, and police and fire boats, with a
view of the consolidation thereof. Read twice
and passed.
Messrs. Spenceley of Ward li), Crocker of Ward
9, and Barnard of Ward 24 were appointed on said
committee. Sent up.
1 \\ 1M. OUT PRIVATE STREETS.
On motion of Mr. Perham of Ward 23, the three
last sections of the annual report of the Street Com-
mission were referred to the Joint Committee on
Streets. Mr. Perhaua said they contained recom-
mennations which should
committee. Sent up.
The sections referred to
large number of petitions
the laying out ol private ways as public streets in
different parts ol the city.
PROPOSED 1'iifl I.AK LOAN.
Mr. Mowry ot Ward 11 offered an order— That
the Committee on Finance be requested, before
negotiating another loan, to consider and report
upon the expediency of issuing a popular loan of
the city in bonus of 950, $ 100, and $500, with in-
terest coupons attached. Read twice and passed.
Sent up.
COLLECTOR'S DEPARTMENT.
Mr. Richardson Ol Ward 11 offered an order-
That the City Collector be authorized to employ
an additional clerk, for temporary duty in the
office of Water Registrar, at an expense not ex-
ceeding $284; said amount to be paid from the
revenue from Cochituate Water Works. Ordered
to a second reading.
PUBLIC BATHS.
Mr. Pearl ol Ward 1 offered an order— That the
Joint Standing Committee on Bathing be author-
ized to repair and maintain the several bathing
houses in the department under their charge, and
to employ such assistants and take such measures
for the care and preservation of said houses as
they may deem expedient.
The order was passed to a second reading.
Mr. Pearl said it was a question whether the
Auditor had a right to approve this month's ac-
counts without the passage of the order, and he
moved to suspeud the rule, that the order might
be passed tonight.
be considered by the
are in regard to the
before the board for
The rule was suspended and the order was read
a second time and put upon its passage.
Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— Is it not usual to limit
the amount of the expenditure?
Mr. Pearl— This month's expenditure will come
out of the last year's appropriation.
Mr. Pierce— I supposed it was the old appropria-
tion, and I also thought it was customary to
limit the amount to be expended for this particu-
lar purpose.
Mr. Pearl— The appropriation for the next finan-
cial year has not been asked for by the commit-
tee; this is to come out of the balance of the old
appropriation of last year.
Mr. Richardson ot Ward 10— Will the gentleman
be kind enough to state what the balance remain-
ing on hand is?
Mr. Pearl— I think there is some six thousand
dollars.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 — I had the same im-
pression that the gentleman from Ward 24 had—
that it is usual to limit the amount. I do not know
any necessity for it in this case, but it is a good
principle.
Mr. Thompson ot Ward !)— What is the nature of
the expenditure to take place on the bath houses
between now and the first of May? Is it simply
for repairs?
Mr. Pearl— This is merely a customary order
which is offered the first week in each year. There
were two houses sold last year, and the present
committee, under instructions from the old com-
mittee, are building two new houses, and have
employed men to take charge of those houses, and
they have hired a general superintendent, who is
employed during the year. Those men have to be
paid monthly, and this is merely a customary or-
der offered e'ach year.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 — I don't understand
that the gentleman has answered the question of
the gentleman from Ward 'J as to what repairs
are contemplated; what they are to be, and how
much. I understand there is a balance ot a little
over $6000 in the bands of the committee. Now, I
don't know but they propose to build new bathing
houses. I should feel a little better about it if the
amount was limited, as is usual. As I said be-
fore, it is a. very good principle to adhere to when
you authorize a committee to go into an expendi-
ture, and I should vote for it with less anxiety if
it was limited. I move to lay it on the table.
Mr. Pearl of Ward 1— I hope the motion will not
prevail. As I said when I made the motion, I hope
this order will pass tonight, that the men we em-
ploy may receive their regular pay up to the first
of February, when it is due. They were under the
control of the committee of last year, and it was a
questiou whether the Auditor had a right to audit
their accounts under the new committee without
the passage of this order. The appropriation last
year was #25,000, and it is not all used
up. We are building two houses to take
the place of the old ones that were
sold. In years past a contract was made for new
houses at 94500 each. Last year a contract was
made at $1800, and two nouses are now beine built
ot twelve or fifteen hundred dollars each.
While we are building them it is proper to hire
men in the winter to keep them in repair and to
keep the ice away from them. I hope the order
will uass tonight, so that the men will get their
pay on the Hist of the month, when it is due.
The motion to lay on the table was lost aud the
order was passed. Sent up.
CTTT EMPLOYES RESIDING OUT OF THE CITY.
Mr. Toppan of Ward .; offered the following:
It is a well-known fact that there is a large
number of city employes who reside out ol the
city limits; daily discussions among the taxpay-
ers that to employ any person not a citizen is an
imposition, and to them a confession of weakness
on our part that we have no citizens of ability in
the city, and therefore dependent on the suburbs.
Thousands of dollars of the public money are taken
annually in this way ; not a cent is received from
them to assist in carrying on the great expense of
our city. Is it light? I say no. There ought to
be something done to remedy this great evil. Now
is the time to commence.
( Ordered, That all employes of the city of Boston
and that all employes for public work by contract
shall be citizens of Boston.
I lie order was read twice and Mr. Thompson of
Ward 9 said that it was too important a matter to
be passed without the action of some committee;
and on his motion it was referred to the Commit-
tee on Ordinances. Sent up.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. McDonald of Ward
12.
BOAJbiD OF ALDERMEN.
26
CITY OF BOS TON.
Proceeding's of the Board of Aldermen,
JANUARY 28, 187b.
Regular meeting- at lour o'clock P. M., Alder-
Stebbins, Chairman, presiding.
JURORS DRAWN.
Thirty traverse jurors were drawn for the
January term of the Superior Court, First Session.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT.
Constable— Charles D. Annable. Confirmed.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on Paving. Edwin R. Frost,
for leave to erect an illuminated clock upon outer
steps of sidewalk 109-111 Devonshire street; W.
O. Taylor et al., that Adams street, Ward 24, he
put in order; Pratt & Co. et al., that portions of
Neponset avenue, Commercial street and Tenean
street be put in order; James B. Aiken et al., that
Norfolk street, Ward 24, be macadamized; Patrick
Grace, for leave to sprinkle certain streets in
Brighton.
Robert Vose el at., for a plank walk on School
and Harvard streets, Ward 24.
South Boston Railroad Company, for a location
of tracks in certain streets auu over Dover-street
Bridge; also for leave to use tracks of Metropoli-
tan Railroad Company in Milk, State, Congress
and Devonshire streets.
To the Committee on, Health on the part of the
Board. Petitions for leave to occupy stables by
James O'Brien, new wooden, two horses, COO Par-
ker street; D. H. McKay, new wooden, two
horses, Newport street; John Farquharst & Sons,
old wooden, two horses, East street, rear 20 and
22; James A. Riedell & Co., new brick, eighty
horses, Newbury street, corner Hereford street;
John Kelly, new wooden, two horses, Tufts street;
Elijah J. Mclntire, new wooden, two horses, Cor-
bett street; A. E. McLaughlin, new wooden, two
horses, Centre street.
To the Joint Special Committee on Nomination
of Inspectors of Lighters. John Kelly, for ap-
pointment as weigher, etc., of lighters.
To the Committee on Lamps. J. R. O. Hurd,
that a gas lamp be placed in front of the M. E.
Church, Parkman street, Ward 24.
To the Committee on Licenses. John Drynan,
for leave to give an athletic exhibition at Beetho-
ven Hall, Feb. 20.
To the Committee on Police. Charles E. Guild,
for leave to project a druggist's mortar at corner
of Berkeley and Tremont streets.
To the Committee on Common on the part of the
Board. William Blakemore, tor leave to remove
two trees from Brown avenue.
To the Committee on Armories. Company D,
First Battalion of Infantry, lor furniture for ar-
mory.
To the Committee on Sewers. James Fitton et
al., for a sewer in Saratoga street.
To the Committee on Claims. John Raddin, to
be paid for a set of cushions furnished Engine
No. 7.
To the Committee on Farks. Petitions of James
L. Little, Samuel C. Cobb, Martin Brimmer, Na-
thaniel J. Bradlee, William Gaston, and seventy-
seven others; Abrarn French & Co., Alanson W.
Beard, William H. Horton, Weston Lewis, Samuel
Johnson, C. C. Luce, Philip Straup, and 150 oth-
ers; H. 1 Bowditch, Edward Wigglesworth, D.
Humphrey Storer, John P. Reynolds, George Ty-
ler Bigelow, Abbott Lawrence and ninety others,
for the immediate development of Back Bay Park
and avenues.
HEARING ON PETITION FOR STEAM ENGINE.
The petition of B. F. Sturtevant for leave to lo-
cate and use a steam engine and boiler in rear of
Green street, Ward 23, was considered on an order
of notice for a hearing. No one appeared to ob-
ject and the petition was referred to the Commit-
tee on Steam Engines.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Reports of leave to withdraw on petitions, of
Henry Dudley, for leave to erect a wooden build-
ing on Elin street, Ward 23, and of Thomas Mayo,
tor leave to erect a similar structure on Green
street, Ward 23. Severally accepted in con-
currence.
Keport and order to allow Samuel G. Reed leave
to erect a wooden building on Carlton street,
Ward 25. Order passed in concurrence.
Order for appointment of a committee (Messrs.
Spenceley, Crocker and Barnard, to be joined) to
consider the subject of rearranging or consolidat-
ing the duties performed by the Harbor Master's,
police and lire boats. Passed in concurrence, and
Aldermen Perkins and Viles were joined to said
committee.
Report (inexpedient) to adopt a joint rule re-
quiring action of committees to be kept from the
public until reported. Accepted in concurrence.
Order for Committee on Finance to consider the
expediency of issuing a popular loan in small
sums. Passed in concurrence.
Order for Superintendent of Health to contract
for horses and exchanges, hay, grain, vehicles
and materials for his department during the pres-
ent year. Passed in concurrence.
Report and order making suitable reference of
the several topics in the Mayor's address. Order
passed in concurrence.
Report and order for Committee on Public
Lands to take possession of certain estates sold
to the city for unpaid taxes. Order passed in con-
currence.
An order that all employes and laborers on pub-
lic works in this city shall reside in Boston came
up referred to the Committee on Ordinances. Con-
curred.
Order to refer to Committee on Streets the con-
cluding portion of the Street Coinmissioners'ian-
nual report. Passed in concurrence.
Request of Board of Health for the transfer of
$300 to their general appropriation. Referred to
Committee on Finance in concurrence.
SOUP.
A report and order came up to appropriate
$3200 for furnishing soup to worthy poor families
of Boston.
Alderman Faunce moved to amend by inserting
the word "food" instead of the word "soup." He
said he did that for the reason that there are
times when solid food is more necessary than soup.
Alderman Viles inquired if that would n't send
it back to the Council, and the Chairman said it
would if the amendment was adopted.
Alderman Viles— As the time is so short, I hope
we shall not make any change.
Alderman Perkins — I trust that the amendment
of the Alderman from Roxbury will pass. I have
always had very grave doubts as to whether this
is the most expedient method of dispensing this
charity. As I understand it, the principal object
of distributing it through the police is that the
recipients may not become paupers under the
law. There is no questioa but that in many cases
the money can be more wisely used and more
judiciously expended and accomplish a great deal
more good than by a miscellaneous distribution of
soup. Although 1 can very well understand why
the Alderman from the West End wants this
thing done— so that those who are in need of it
can receive it — nevertheless I hope the amend-
ment will be adopted and the thing be done urop-
erly.
Alderman McLean— I did not propose to say a
word upon this matter, but I hope the amend-
ment will not prevail. It seems to me that the
distribution of this money in good, thick, hearty
soup will go further than food. As it is to be
done to temporarily relieve the necessities of the
poor, it seems to me that the sooner this charity is
distributed the better it will be. I think that
more good will come from it if it is done as it has
been done in the past, although I am free to say
that if we had time 1 should prefer to have it
done by the Overseers of the Poor; but in consid-
eration of the lateness of the season, I trust it
will be done as it has been in the past. I think
the soup will do more good than loud.
Alderman Faunce— I understand that the
amendment does not prevent the distribution of
soup, but that it adds other things in case of
emergency; and there may be cases when some-
thing else will be better than soup. 1 think it is
better to use the word food than soup, for that
reason. It will not delay the matter, as Thursday
is the last day of the month and the Council wil'l
meet on that day.
Alderman McLean— What does the Alderman
propose to do— whether they are to have money
or provisions?
Alderman Faunce— That is left to the Board of
Aldermen to decide. It does not change the fact.
27
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
The amendment was lost and the order was
passed in concurrence— yeas 12, nays 0.
Subsequently Alderman Viles offered an order-
That the Committee on Police be authorized to
make the necessary arrangements (or distributing
BOUp at the several police stations during the
months of February and March, 1878; the expense,
not exceeding $3200, to he charged to the special
appropriation for Temporary Relief of the Poor.
Read twice and passed.
CARRIAGE HIKE.
An order came up to adopt an additional joint
rule, to be called section 2l,jto the effect that all
carriages hired by committees or members shall
be procured through, or reported to, the Messen-
ger.
Alderman Harris— I hope the committee will
give us some reason which induced them to re-
port this rule, ft does seem to mo as though it is
not lequired at all, and unless there i> some good
and sufficient reason lor its adoption, 1 for one
shall move its indefinite postponement.
Alderman Viles — I don't know that I have any
new light to give upon this subject. 1 was in
hopes this matter of the rules and orders would
not come before this Board this present year; but
there was an order introduced Into the City Coun-
cil :o regulate carriage hire, and it was referred
to the Committee on Ordinances, who, after care-
ful consideration of it, in their good judgment,
which 1 think was a compliment, referred it
to the Committee on Rules and Orders, and hence
we find it before us. Alter considering this
matter some time we reported that order. As
1 said last Monday, I don't believe in this
order exactly, but it is the best thing 1 could
get done with it. There had been some
trouble with the members of the Government
heretofore about taking carriages in distant parts
of the city, and when the bill came in it would be
put in their pockets and carried there for some
time, and nobody would know anything about it.
This is something like putting another padlock
on the pocket, and I think it will do no harm and
may do some good.
A'lderman Whidden— Does it include carriage
hire for every purpose ? If a committee are obliged
to take a c rriage into the suburbs, must they go
to the City Messenger?
Alderman Yiles— No, sir, I presume it is discre-
tionary with committees to take carriages when
they wish to. A great many bills for carriages
have been delayed ; some came in this year after
the Government went out, and the City Messen-
ger did not know anything about them. And it
will take some trouble to look them up.
Alderman McLean — The gentleman will see that
if he and his Committee on Paving happen to be
out in the suburbs he will go and hire a carriage
and notify the City Messenger that he has hired a
carriage for a certain purpose, and the City Messen-
ger keeps a record of all carriages hired by himself
or any committee and the object for which car-
riages are hired by the committees themselves,
whenever he is notified. This matter was recom-
mended for the purpose of protecting the city
against loose management in hiring carriages.
It was stated before the committee, as the chair-
man might have told you, that persons in the out-
lying sections of the city had kept bills in their
pockets tor some time— perhaps purposely, and
perhaps not— until the last Government expired,
and nobody seemed to be responsible lor them.
It is intended that there may be some
check upon this loose way of hiring car-
riages, and in also giving notice to those hav-
irg carriages to let that they must have the
bills in within seven days. I presume that we
should not be leading strings in these things,
but as public servants 1 think we ought to yield
something, and I hope this rule will pass. If my
friend from Charlestown should happen to hire a
carriage over in that district, or in some other
section of the city, it will lie very easy for him to
notify the City Messenger, and the city Messenger
will also be able to see that a carriage is not paid
for that is not used. It has been stated that when
two carriages have been ordered to a place and
only one used, two carriages were charged for,
and" I take it that the Alderman from Charlestown
here, and the other gentlemen, desire to protect
the city; and believing that, I will vote for the
order.
Alderman Harris— To test the sense of the
Hoard, I move the indefinite postponement of the
order.
The motion was declared lost. Alderman Har-
ris doubted the vote. The Hoard diviaed-3 for,
8 against.
The order was passed in concurrence.
l'l BUO BATHS.
An order came up lor Joint Committee on Bath-
ing to make repairs and procure attendants upon
the several bathhouses. The order was laid on
the table, on motion of Alderman Perkins , who
said that he intended to offer an order to place the
Bathing Department where it should be— under
the charge of the Board ol Health.
Later in the session Alderman Perkins offered
an order— That the Committee on Ordinances be
requested to consider the expediency of placing
the Public Bathing Department under the charge
of the Board of Health, and providing by ordi-
nance for such change of supervision, p'assed.
Sent down. .
Subsequently, onlmotion of Alderman Viles, the
order to authorize the Committee on Bathing to
make certain repairs on the bath houses, etc., was
taken : rom the table and passed in concurrence,
Alderman Viles stating that, though he was not a
member of the Committee on Bathing, yet he per-
haps knew as much about that department as any
other member, and the delay of this order will
block the work of the department, it was neces-
sary to pass it, and it required no additional ap-
propriation, but the expense is to be paid from
the balance of the old appropriation.
REPORT8 OF CITJ OFFICERS.
Annual Report of Seeder oj Weights and Meas-
ures. Expenditures ior 1877, $4844.
Total number of scales, weights and measures
tested during the year 1877:
Scales 3,207
Weigh ts 10.630
Dry measures 1,765
Wet measures 2J757
Weights condemned '276
Measures condemned 301
Scales condemned unfit for use 46
Scales' use forbidden until made to conform to
standard 427
Weights and poises adjusted before sealing.'..!!! 5,031
Weights and poises light, from 1 dram to 8
ounces 4,883
Weights and poises heavy 148
Sin vcynrs' tape measures tested 4
Yard sticks sealed 51
Charcoal baskets sealed 33
Charcoal baskets condemned 12
Scales requiring much labor to adjust before
sealing 1,000
The class of cheap scales and weights, which
are made by irresponsible persons so far as
known, .and sold without any regard to accuracy,
— and the same can be said of many of the weights
sold with these scales,— are cast in various found-
eries, taken from the mould without any test, yet
bearing on their face the mark of 1" pound, 2
pounds, 4 pounds, etc., and put upon the market
purporting to be what they represent; yet in
point of tact they are a cheat and a fraud, and
the buyer, and sometimes the seller, is thereby de-
prived of his or their just weight.
The importance of correct scales and weights is
attracting more attention from the public than in
the past, as a result of the care and legislation
upon the subject. In some of the States and in
the Dominion of Canada various kinds of scales
and balances are prohibited from use by law,
more especially those most easily used to defraud
the public as well as those which a change in the
temperature will affect.
The large sale of charcoal within the limits of
the city, by persons residing in the suburban cit-
ies and towns, has very largely increased from
year to year, until it has reached an amount hard-
ly conceived of by our citizens who, casually pass-
ing our busy streets, see the charcoal man dis-
charging his wagon at one of our hotels or at
mauy of our dwellings. It has to a large extent
superseded the use of the various kinds of kin-
dling wood of former times. The persons dealing
in this article are, for the most, part, non-resi-
dents, who, with a few exceptions, care but lit-
tle for the law regulating its sale, and evade it by
every means possible, when an opportunity of-
fers. The statute law Is very plain 'now
what a two-bushel basket shrll contain, and
yet they have, from year to year, sold with impu-
nity, hardly fearing interruption, from a basket
which held a less quantity than the law allowed.
In the early part of the season this department's
attention was directed to this fraud, and several
wagons were stopped while coming in from the
surrounding towns to dispose of their loads.
JANUARY
S'8
1878
28
Their baskets were taken possession of, examined
at the office, and found deficient in the necessary
size. They were condemned and destroyed. New
ones holding the required amount we're ordered
to be procured; they were tested and branded
when correct. This action hao been followed up
so closely that no luture delinquencies of this
kind will'be likely to occur. All persons purchase
ing charcoal, if they will take the trouble to ex-
amine the basket used, if a legal one, will find it
branded '-Boston Sealer."
Annual Report of the (My Surveyor. The
amount expended during the year has been —
Expenses of city proper, South and East
Boston, and Charlestown 820,582.11
Expenses of the Roxbury branch office 4,799.1 6
Expenses of the Dorchester branch office... 5,377.97
Expenses of the West Koxbury branch office. 5,296.71
Expenses of the Brighton branch office 2,010.83
Total expenditure from appropriation for
surveying for 1877 #38,066.78
The report includes a list of the plans drawn
during the year.
Annual Report of the Park Commissioners. The
Board refer to City Document, 104, 1877, for details
of the work done by them during the year. In
regard to the Back Bay Bark tney say —
On making the final measurmeuts it was found
that 106 115-1000 acres had been secured, and, as
in our opinion no part of this can well be dis-
pensed with, we respectfully ask for a further ap-
propriation of 113,000 to pay for the excess of
2 815-1000 acres ; this is comprised in a part of the
Long-wood entrance as shown on the plan of the
Back Bay Park accompanying our last report.
B We would also recommend that authority be given
to purchase, at not exceeding ten cents per
square foot, the land between Beacon street and
Charles River, opposite the Beacon entrance as
shown on the plan, thus continuing that entrance
300 feet in width to the river.
We have reason to believe that with this au-
thority we can make a satisfactory arrangement
with the Boston & Roxbury Mill Corporation,
which owns the land. The amount required will
probably not exceed $3000.
The commissioners again recommend that a
portion of the Austin Farm, to be used as a nur-
sery for trees, plants and shrubs, be placed under
their control, as the preparatory work should be
entered upon at the earliest practical moment.
The expenditures have been as follows : Balance
of appropriation Jan. 1, 1877, $2492.16; amount
appropriated Dec. 24, 1877, $3000; total, $5492.16.
Expenditures from Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1, 1878,
$3444.68 ; balance unexpended Jan. 1, 1878,
$2047.48. The above amount of $3444.68 was ex-
pended as follows: Salary of clerk, $1162 50; engi-
neer and assistants, expenses, etc., $2244.86; sta-
tionery, $12.10; printing, $5.82; maps and plans,
$8.50; office expenses— washing floors and towels,
etc., $10.90; total, 3444.68.
Annual Report of Superintendent of Sewers.
The amount expended has been $158,548.97, and
sewers have been laid as follows;
City proper.... 6,624 feet 820,310.34
" " .... 78 catch-basins. 7,595.51
South Boston.. 2,257 feet 4,349.61
" " .. 53 catch-basins. 5,465.50
Charlestown.. 429 feet 535.99
64 catch-basins. 6,776.89
Roxbury 9,267 feet 17,552.99
109 catch- basins. 10,555.90
Dorchester.... 7,595 feet 16,458.93
78 catch-basins. 7,397.26
West Roxbury. 3,876 feet 7,798.54
62 catch-basins. 5,400.72
East Boston... 1,269 feet 1,787.58
25 catch-basins. 1'961.32
Brighton 3 catch-basins. 339.65
(31,317ft., costing.... $68,79". 98
Totals,? 472 catch-basins. 45,492.75
(Miscellaneous expenses 44,262.24
8158,548.97
The whole length of sewers in the city is now
about 180y 2 miles. Assessments have been levied
by the Board of Aldermen, and the bills sent to
the Collector, to the amount of $35,756.69. The
Collector has received, during the year, from as-
sessments, $88,802,71. During the year 1450 per-
mits have been given to construct and repair
house connections, and about 1150 loads of sewage
matter removed from the, sewers.
SALARY OF CLERK OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
A communication was received fiom the Park
Commissioners in regard to the salary of their
clerk, which they fixed at $1150 per annum, they
believing this to be the amount established by
the City Council, as it was so printed in the offi-
cial proceedings of the Board of Aldermen, Feb.
19, 1877. He has been paid at this rate until re-
cently, when the Auditor discovered that the
amount fixed by the Council was $1050 per annum.
The commissioners addressed a letter on the sub-
ject to the City Solicitor, who decid-
ed that chapter 185, section 3, of acts
1875, conferred upon the Board the power ot ap-
pointing its clerks and fixing their compensation,
and no action of the City Council has taken or
can take away that power. The Auditor inquired
of the City Solicitor if he could allow the clerk
$1150 after the order of the City Council. The
Solicitor decided that the Auditor must follow
the orders of the City Council, and cannot deter-
mine a question of difference between the Coun-
cil and the Park Commissioners.
Referred to Committee on Parks. Sent down.
JAIL EXPENSES.
A requisition was received from the Sheriff of
Suffolk County for $1609.65, for exDenses at the
jail for February. Ordered paid.
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR SEWER DE-
PARTMENT.
The chairmar. submitted a report from the Com-
mittee on Finance on request of Committee on
Sewers for additional appropriation, recommend-
ing the passage of an order— That the Auditor of
Accounts be and he hereby is authorized to trans-
fer from the Reserved Fund to the appropriation
for Sewers the sum of $9000. Read twice and
passed— yeas 12, nays 0. Sent down.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows:
Amusement Licenses Granted -Martin E. Casey,
to give a dramatic entertainment at the Turn
Halle, Middlesex street, on Feb. 8.
Victuallers Licensed— Bryant E. Crawford, 209
Cambridge street; Richard, Hain & Co., 44 Port-
land and '4Gy 2 Short Sudbury street; Elisha E. Da-
vis, 136 Lincoln street; Richardson & Stanley, 7
Sudbury street; E. B. Allen, 760 Washington
street.
Minors' Applications Granted— Thirteen news-
boys.
Wagon Licenses Granted— John McNamara, 9
India street; Charles H. Tufts, Avery street; G.
E. Gammon, 19 Chauncy street; S. J. Pressey,
Clarendon street.
Auction Licenses Renewed— T. B. Moses, Jr., &
Co., 581 Washington street and at corner of East
and Federal streets; M. J. O'Brien, 280 Broadway.
Pawnbrokers and Dealers in Second-hand Arti-
cles Licensed— George Casale and others, in vari-
ous parts of the city.
Severally accepted.
PROJECTING SIGN.
Alderman Viles submitted a report from the
Committee on Police in favor of granting a per-
mit to J. P. T. Percival to place a druggist's mor-
tar in front of 215 Washington street. Accepted.
COLLECTION OF UNPAID POLL OR PERSONAL.
TAXES.
Alderman Harris submitted a report from the
Committee on Legislative Matters in favor of the
passage of the order for the Mayor to petition the
Legislature for an act providing for the settle-
ment of unpaid poll and personal taxes, as in said
order set forth. The order was passed. Sent
down.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Whidden submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving:
Report— That leave be granted William R. Cav-
anagh to move a block of two wooden buildings
from East street, corner of West Fifth street to
Ninth street. Accepted.
Reports and orders of notice for hearings on
Monday, Feb. 18, at four o'clock P. M., on the pe-
titions of Lynn & Boston Railroad Company for
leave to run their cars to Temple place, and of
Metropolitan Railroad Company for an addition
to portions of their locations on Clarendon and
Bovlston streets. Orders severally passed.
Order to remove the bridge over Smelt Brook on
Parker street, and fill the street at said brook
with earth or gravel; estimated cost $3000. Read
twice and passed.
Order to grade and gravel Northampton street
between Columbus avenue and the Providence
29
BOARD OF ALDEKMEN.
Railroad; estimated cost $450. Read twice and
passed.
Order to grade Ruggles street as recently laid
out on land of K. T. Paine, Jr., near Cary street,.
Read twice and passed.
IMPROVED SEWEBAQE.
Alderman Whidden submitted the following:
The joint special committee appointed to take
charge of the construction of an improved sys-
tem of sewerage, respectfully recommend the
passage of the accompanying order taking for
the purposes of a pumping station a parcel of
land situated at Old Harbor Point, the said land
being taken under the authority ol chapter l»i ol
the acts of 1876, entitled "An act to empower the
city of Boston to lay and maintain a main sewer
discharging at tfoon Island in Boston Harbor and
for other purposes. '
The order lor the taking describes the property
in detail. It was laid over.
SHUTTEKS l'OK ARMOKV BUILDING.
Alderman Slade offered an order— That the Su-
perintendent ol Public ISuililings be authorized,
under the direction of the Committee on Ar-
mories, to place suitable iron shutters on the ar-
mory occupied by Battery A, M. V. M , on Ware-
ham street; the expense, not exceeding .S700, to
be charged to the appropriation for Armories.
Read twice and passed. Sent down.
LAMP DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Whitou offered an order— That the
Superintendent of Lamps be and he is hereby au-
thorized, under the approval of the Committee on
Lamps during the municipal year 1878, to contract
for and purchase the lampposts, brackets, burn-
ers, cocks, tips, lanterns, tools, stable supplies
and such other articles as shall be found neces-
sary for the carrying on of the Lamp Department,
also to employ sucn number of men as may be
necessary; the cost thereof to be charged to the
appropriation for Lamps. Passed.
ARBITRATION OF STREET DAMAGES.
Ahlerman Perkins offered an order— That when-
ever the Committee on Streets of this Board deem
it for the best interest of the city to refer claims
for damages or betterments relating to the laying
out or widening ot streets to arbitration for set-
tlement, the said committee is hereby authorized
to refer such claims, with the approval of his
Honor the Mayor and the City Solicitor. Read
twice and passed.
NUISANCE IN CIIARLESTOWN.
Alderman Perkins offered an order— That his
Honor the Mayor be requested to petition the
Legislature for an act to abate a public nuisance
in the ( barlestown District, by filling the territo-
ry northerly from the Eastern Railroad and west-
erly from Canal street; such act to provide that
the" city of Boston shall have a lien upon said
territory for the expense incurred in abating said
nuisance. Read twice and passed. Sent down.
FRANKLIN FUND.
Alderman Whiton offered an order— That a com-
mittee of two members of this Board be appoint-
ed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer of
the Frauklin Fund. Passed, and Aldermen Whiton
and Kaunce were appointed said committee.
1 HE APPROACHES TO THE FERRIES.
Alderman McLean offered an order— That the
Joint Committee on East Boston Ferries consider
and report upon the expediency of the City Coun-
cil requesting the Board of Street Commissioners
to lay out as public streets the avenues from the
ferry slips to Commercial and Sumner streets.
Passed. Sent down.
Adjourned, on motion ot Alderman Viles.
so
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
JANUARY 31, 1878.
Regular meeting- at 7.30 o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the chair.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Annual reports of the City Surveyor, Sealer of
Weights and Measures, Superintendent of Sewers
and Park Commissioners, severally placed on file.
Communication from the Park Commissioners
in reference to the salary of their clerk, and sun-
dry petitions, were referred in concurrence.
Report in favor and passage of order to petition
for an act in relation to settlement of uncollect-
able taxes. Report accepted and order passed in
concurrence.
Orders to report on expediency of the following
measures :
1. Of requesting the Street Commissioners to
lay out as public streets the avenues from the
ferry slips to Commercial and Sumner streets.
Passed in concurrence.
2. Of placing the Public Bathing Department
in charge of Board of Health. Referred, on mo-
tion of Mr. Pearl of Ward 1, to the Committee on
Bathing. [For subsequent action see later in the
session.]
Report and order for a transfer from Reserved
Fund to appropriation for sewers of the sum of
$9000. Order passed to a second reading.
NUISANCE IN CHARLESTON**.
An order came down for the Mayor to petition
the Legislature for an act authorizing the city to
abate a nuisance in Charlestown, the city to have
a lien on the land filled.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11— I hope the Council will
not concur with the upper board in the passage of
this order, whict involves an expenditure of a
million dollars for the rilling alone, to say nothing
of the damages. I understand that it comes from
no committee whatever, and fH> it is a subject
which needs consideration I hope we shall not
concur.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5—1 do not know where this
order originated, or the object of it; but I sup-
pose it is intended to lead to some measure to
abate a nuisance. I cannot see any harm iu pe-
titioning the Legislature for the right to fill the
land and have a lien upon it in case the tilling is
done. I should hesitate to vote much money to do
the tilling, provided we have the right from the
Legislature, except in case of absolute necessity.
So far as I understand i f .. this nuisance can be
aoated without much outlay by the city;
and that I understand to be the views
of the Board of Health, who have considered the
matter. Sewers empty there and cause much of
this nuisance, but there is a large amount of ter-
ritory which I cannot see that the city of Boston
is responsible for, as it belongs to private parties.
Mr. Mowry — Has it been before any committee
■whatsoever?
Mr. Sibley— I stated that I did not know where
this order originated. 1 never heard of it until I
read of its passage in the Board of Aldermen.
The matter was before the Committee on Health
and the Board of Health last year, and the nui-
sance was admitted without any doubt; but, as
was stated at the time, it was hoped that the city
would get out of its part without much outlay.
There is no money to be expended under this
order, and after the act passes it will be for the
City Council to say what shall be done.
Mr. Mowry moved the reference of the order to
the Committee on Legislative Matters.
Mr. Richardson ot Ward 10— It seems to me that
we are in neediof facts a little more than we have
in regajd to this measure. I think I can say, per-
haps without any breach of confidence, that I ex-
pected to find upon my desk a communication
from the Board of Health in regard to this matter;
but I do not find it . I noticed that this order
passed the Board of Aldermen without any dis-
cussion whatever. I understand that the fee in
the property, or land or bog, or whatever it is, re-
ferred to, is in the Eastern Railroad, and when I
first saw the order I had a suspicion that some-
body had land to sell. I may be wrong, but as
near as I can find out, it will take a very large sum
of money to fill that land, and some gentlemen
have said, since the order passed the Board of
Aldermen, that it will cost a million dollars.
It has not been before any committee, and we
do not know officially that a nuisance exists
there which requires any additional authority
from the Legislature to abate it, and I certainly
think it ought to go to some committee, and I
nope it will go. It seems to me it should go to
the Committee on Health in the first place, to de-
termine if there is a nuisance. Those gentlemen
familiar with the locality undoubtedly know, and
I should take the statement of the gentleman
from Ward 5 in regard to it. But it seems to me
that before we commit ourselves by going to the
General Court and getting an act, we ought to
know just what act we want, what powers we
want, and the nature and extent of them ; and,
therefore, I should think it would be well for the
City Council to be advised as to the nature and
extent of the nuisance itself. I should think it
would be better to refer it to the Committee on
Health in the first place, to determine the necessi-
ty of this act, unless gentlemen are prepared to
take the matter for granted.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5— This subject of filling
those flats in Charlestown was before the Com-
mittee on Health last year, and a public hearing
was given last summer which lasted three or four
days, and nearly all the citizens of Charlestown
affected by this nuisance were present and gave
their testimony at the time. Reports of that hear-
ing were published in all the papers in Boston
very fully at the time. It has been before the
Board of Health for two years to my knowledge,
and they made reports that they could not. pro-
ceed to abate this nuisance on account of the ex-
pense that would be borne by the city, with-
out any right of redemption from the
railroads who own the land. The object
of this order is that the city may nave
a lien upon the land, and if the railroads refuse
to pay the expense, the land will be sold by the
city to pay for the tilling. An estimate was made
of the cost of filling this entire piece of land, and
the cost for the entire piece was about $240,0u0,
and there is some difference between that and a
million, so that if we can get an act from the
Legislature for the city to have a lien upon the
land it would n't cost the city a cent. This nui-
sance has been talked about time and again in the
City Council, and in the papers last year. All the
members who were here last year know all about
it. As 1 said before, if this act is obtained I don't
know that it will cost the city a cent.
. Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— Last fall a gentleman
prominently connected with the Lowell Railroad
came to me and asked me if I would make some
investigations about this filling 1 did so, and
went to the Board of Health, and they said it was
to be tilled by the Eastern and the Fitchburg rail-
roads, and my object in going to see about it was
that this railroad owned a gravel bank that they
would like to sell for such tilling, and the Board
of Health informed iue that the two railroad com-
panies 1 have mentioned were going to fill it. But
I see it has not been done this year, and they ex-
pected it would be done last fall. I believe it is
claimed that the property belongs to both those
corporations.
Mr. Speuceley of Ward 19—1 find by the pro-
ceedings of the Board of Aldermen last year that
this report was received from the Board of Health
and was presented by Alderman Viles.
"In answer to the order of the City Council,
which 'instructed the Committee on Health to re-
port an order tor relief upon the petition of citi-
zens of the Fourth Ward for the abatement ot a
nuisance,' and relerred to the Board of Health,
we beg to state that the opinion of the City Coun-
cil given to the Board of Health upon the ques-
tion of abating this nuisance reached this board
the second week in October; whereupon sound-
ings and estimates for work, which must precede
tilling, were procured, and much exertion made to
have work commence this season. It was not
thought advisable, however, to commence the
building ot bulkheads and the extension of the
sewer this fall, which we were advised could not
be finished before cold weather. The Board of
Health proposes to begin the work at the earliest
practicable day, and forward the work as fast as
possible. Respectfully submitted,
S. H. Durgin, Chairman."
It seems that they already have power to do
this, and that they contemplate doing this work,
and that just as soou as the season would permit,
they intended to commence it and carry it
JANUARY 31, 1878
31
out. If this be a fact, I don't see why we should
petition the Legislature for a right which already
exists. Alderman Viles says —
Alderman "Viles said —
"That is the report of tbe Board of Health which
was handed to me a few moments ago. They in-
form me tbat the sewer will have to be extended
and a great many piles driven upon which to ex-
tend it; and that it will taue some time longer
than this fall will allow to complete it. Bulk-
heads will have to be built out there to do it.
They also inform me that the Fitchburg and East-
ern railroads will commence this work at the ear-
liest opportunity, but not before spring."
Then Alderman Thompson said —
"One cause of the difficulty is in consequence of
the city of Somerville allowing their sewage to
be deposited in this pond at this place, and it
seems to me it will also be necessary for the
Board of Health to make some arrangement
with the Health Committee of Somerville before
the nuisance can be fully abated. I don't
know whether the board have considered that or
not."
And Alderman Viles replied—
"When the Committee on Health visited this lo-
cation last summer, the Board of Health called
our attention particularly to the sewage which
Somerville discharged into this canal. They have
the matter under consideration, and will proba-
bly notify them to take it out."
Now, unless there is some other reason given
than has been given, I see no necessity for peti-
tioning for an act. If the Board of Health have
already commenced to take soundings and begun
the preliminary work to abate the nuisance, it
seems to me we ought to let them go ahead and
carry it out. If there is any reason for going to
the Legislature, which I understand there is, on
account of tbe obstruction to tidewater — I don't
know about tbat, I have only heard it stated— and
if it is so, I think some gentleman here ought to
understand it and let us know, so that we can vote
intelligently. ♦
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— That is all very correct
as the matter seemed to stand then. The Eastern
and Fitchburg railroads seemed to be willing to
commence. The president of one of the roads
stated that he had already talked with certain
men, and that a certain amount of money had
been set aside to commence the filling. At that
time they thought ic a sure thing, if the Board of
Health would condemn it as a nuisance, and it
would save them from any compensation which
the Harbor Commissioners said was due for the
displacement of tide water. But since then it
was thought that the best thing was to petition
the Legislature. I have no objection to referring
it to the Committee on Legislative Matters, if it is
necessary; but I think the nuisance ought to be
abated. I think the work can be intrusted to the
Board of Health, who are very prudent in the
spending of money. There are two ways — one by
putting in a bulkhead and covered sewer and
keeping the water to a certain depth, and the
other way is to extend the sewer farther down.
Which way is the better I don't know, and I don't
know which will be the better for the city to take,
but there seems to be some necessity for petition-
ing the Legislature.
Mr. McGaragle— I think it had better go to the
Board of Health and let them make a report as
to the probable cost and the difficulties in the
way. It appears that there will be a quantity of
water tilled in at 37% cents a foot, which will be
worth more than all the land; and as I under-
stand it this is to get an enabling act for the rail-
roads to stop tbem from paying for tide water
displaced. I think we had better go to the Legis-
lature.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I hope the gentle-
man from Ward 11 will let it go to the Committee
on Health. They can consult with the Board of
Health and probably report next Thursday even-
ing. And then perhaps it can go to the Commit-
tee on Legislative Matters to ascertain if it is
necessary to go to the Legislature. It seems to be
a subject of a good deal of importance upon
which all of us have not sufficient information.
It was not discussed in tbe Board of Aldermen at
all, and it is no secret that some of the Board of
Aldermen have expressed the desire that it should
be discussed, and have expressed a regret that it
was passed without proper discussion.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19—1 hope the gentle-
man will withdraws the motion and let it go to
the Board of Health. They may have the infor-
mation which we want. If there is a nuisance
in that neignborhood it ought to be abated. We
ought to know just what is wanted there, and if
the Board of Health have the facts they can give
them to us within a week. Tbe motion of the gen-
tleman may delay the matter so that we may not
get the order back in time to send it to the Gen-
eral Court if it is necessary to go there. I should
prefer to have it go to the Board of Health.
Mr. Mowry— I have no objections to its going to
the Committee on Health or the Board of Health.
My only desire was to get some information.
The order was referred to the Joint Committee
on Health. Sent up.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Orders for furniture to be supplied to the sev-
eral schoolhouses and the City Hall, and for
repairs and cleaning to be made on said buildings,
the police stations, engine houses, and certain
other public buildings during the present year.
Passed in concurrence.
Order for City Engineer to make purchases of
supplies, instruments and drawing materials, and
incur other necessary expenses during present
year, for his department. Passed in concurrence.
Order for City Surveyor to do the same for his
department. Passed in concurrence.
Order for employment of an additional clerk for
temporary duty in office of Water Registrar at not
exceeding $284. Passed in concurrence.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PRINTING.
The ordinance to amend the ordinance in rela-
tion to printing by providing for the appointment
of a Superintendent was considered under unfin-
ished business.
The question was upon its passage.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— Before that is passed
I should like to ask the reason for making it three
years. It seems to me this gentleman ought to be
on a level with the other heads of departments in
City Hall. I think the Inspector of Buildings is
the only one who is not elected every year, and
his term of office is fixed by statute. 1 move to
amend by inserting "one year" wherever the
words "three years" occur.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— Tbe original ordinance
provided for the appointment of the Superin-
tendent for three years, and in this new ordinance
we made no change in that respect. The commit-
tee considered, however, that it was an office
which it was desirable should not be frequently
changed, and that it was desirable that a man
should feel some permanence in the office,
and not be subject to removal every
year. It is an office that requires consider-
able knowledge and considerable time to get
acquainted with it, and it seems desirable that
when a man is appointed to that office he should
hold on to it long enough to be well acquainted
with it and to be well qualified to perform its du-
ties, and that there should not be frequent changes
in the officer. For that reason the committee
considered that there should not be any change in
the term of office.
Mr. McGaragle — The gentleman's reasons are
very good, and I indorse what he says. But I say
it is not treating the other beads of departments
fairly when we put the Superi tent ent therefor
three years, and subject them to the test of
reelection every year, I presume the gentleman
at present in the office has done his duty, but I
think every man should be treated fairly. Tbey
are all good heads of departments and superin-
tendents, and I should like to see them all upon
the same footing and put them all in office for
three years, if we can do it.
Mr. McGaragle's amendment was lost by a
division— 28 lor, 34 against. The ordinance was
passed. Sent up.
THE FIRE BOAT.
The following was received from the Board of
Fire Commissioners:
The order of the 14th instant requesting the
Board of Fire Commissioners to communicate to
the City Council their opinion as to the value and
efficiency of the tire boat, and also requesting the
reasons for discontinuing the allowance of rations
to the crew of said boat, came to our hands on the
21st instant, and the Board beg leave to present
the following in answer to the same:
The boat was put into the service of this depart-
ment Jan. 1, 1873, costing as per auditor's report,
$31,002.39, since which time to Jan. 1, 1878.it has
responded to 39 alarms of tire and played 49 times.
The duty required of it is to answer to any of the
boxes aloug the water front, being 52 in number
on the first alarm, and six on the second, and 6
on the third. During the past year it has played
32
COMMON COUNCIL,
4 and the previous year 5 times. The aver-
age annual number ot times it has played for the
period of five years during which it has been in
service is 9 4-5. Though the loss by fire for the
past three years has been much lessened, the op-
portunities for use of the boat and the reasons
that influenced its addition still exist, but some-
what diminished by the increase and change in
the management of the force. The existing water-
front of the city has on its borders many com-
bustible localities difficult to be reached by other
means, where, if a fire were started, the value of
the boat would be very great, almost in-
calculable. The board feel that in view
of the great service it has rendered dur-
ing its connection with the department, its value
as an auxiliary is very irreat and that its discon-
tinuance would be assuming a risk that we could
not recommend. In answer to the request for the
reasons for discontinuing the allowance for ra-
tions, the board beg leave to refer your honorable
body to a statement herewith appended, made in
May last to the then chairman of the Committee
on Fire Department, in response to a similar re-
quest. This board have reviewed that statement
and respectfully present it as embodying their
present views and containing the reasons that
prompted its action in that matter.
Very respectfully.
David Chamberlin, Chairman.
Office of the
Board of Fire Commissioners,]
City Hall, Boston, May 31, 1877.
Alderman Choate Burn ham, Chairman of Com-
mittee on Fire Department : Dear Sir— In reply-
ing to a request to furnish your committee with a
statement of the changes which have been made
in the pay and allowances of the "crew" of the
fire boat.'it is proper that a statement of causes
that influenced the board to make the changes
should be iriven.
It has been the rule of the board since its or-
ganization to conduct the department with that
economy consistent with security which will re-
duce the cost of its maintenance, and where it is
manitest that a saving can be made, by reduction
or disuse, they have not hesitated to do it. They
have been impressed with the importance and
the necessity of continuing in that course, by the
public demand and by the action of the City
Council, in its course of retrenchment and in
other ways, indicating what might be the result.
And such being in entire accordance with the
feelings of this board, they have not only rejoiced
to see that their acts in that direction are ap-
proved, but emphatically indorsed.
When the cominissiouers examined the sub-
sistence bills of the tire-boat crew on their as-
suming office, it was found that it cost per annum
the sum ot 82i63.63, or $309.09 per man, being $25.75
per month; ttiey telt that that sum was larger
than it should be, as the raw material only was
furnished, all other conveniences for cooking,
etc., being also found by the city: and, as table
board could be had in a first-class mechanics'
boarding house for about $16 per month, they de-
cided a reduction should be made, and an order
was issued limiting them to the sum of $15 per
month per man, and the captain has repeated-
ly stated that they lived well enough on that
sum.
On making further investigation, it was ascer-
tained that elsewhere, in other cities having a
fire boat in service, New York in particular, by
personal inspection it was seen that their "boat,"
larger than ours, with more men, was placed on
the same basis as their permanent companies,
furnishing their own rations and receiving the
same pay. It was also found that the steam
tugs doing their work in our docks and
around our wharves were not "rationed,"
and in view of the fact that our "boat" was al-
ways within hail of the wharves, there was no oc-
casion why they should not come into line on the
same lav as other permanent members of the de-
partment. There was still another reason that
prompted the board to make the change. The
Committee on Retrenchment in their report say
that they are of the opinion that the service of
the tire boat can be dispensed with, thereby sav-
ing $14,000 per annum. The board did not feel
that the abandonment of the "boat" at present
quite a safe thing to do, and though the ex-
pense of running it is only some $10,967.04 for
1876-77, they hoped by reducing the cost as they
have done by some $1820, by this act it would
have an influence in retaining it in service until
it became more manifest than at present that its
use could be safely done away with.
The action of the board equalizes the condi-
tions of the permanent force, and though the
crew of the boat have nearly twice the amount of
"leaves of absence" as the other permanent men,
it is offset, perhaps, by the limit of their quarters.
Trusting that the reasons above named will be
sufficient for justifying the action of the board,
I remain, very truly,
Your obedient servant,
David Chamberlin,
Chairman.
Referred, on motion of Mr. McGaragle of Ward
8, to the joint special committee on the consoli-
dation of the fire and police boats and Harbor
Master's Department. Sent up.
WATER PIPES.
A communication was received from the
Water Board, stating that they are about
to contract for water pipes for a second
line of force mains for the Mystic Water
Works, under authority given them by the City
Council, Oct. 2, 1877, asking authority to contract
at the same time for 1650 tons of pipes ana special
castings needed in the Cochituate Department
during the next financial year, at an estimated
cost of $5000, to be paid for after the 1st of May
next from the appropriation to be made for the
Cochituate Water Works for the financial year
1878-9.
Referred, on motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward
17, to the Committee on Water. Sent up.
HEREFORD-STREET EXTENSION.
A communication was received from the Street
Commissioners submitting a resolve and order for
the extension of Hereford street, from Common-
wealth avenue to Boylston street, for the concur-
rence of the City Council, taking land as follows:
Owner's Name. Square Feet.
Caleb H. Warner and Charles F. Smith 15.150
'• 1,800
H. D. Hvde and F. W. Andrews, trustees 800
G. T. W. Braman, H. D. Hyde and F. W. Andrews,
trustees 14 ,000
The adjudged cost is $33,337.50.
Referred, on motion of Mr. Perham of Ward
23, to the Committee ou Streets. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— Remonstrance of
Gardner Warren against the nomination of
Charles Harris for Superintendent of Streets.
Referred, on motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17,
to the committee on the nomination of Said
officer. Sent up.
By Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— Petition of A. D.
Williams and others, that the nuisance in and
about the Roxbury Canal be abated at once. Re-
ferred to the Committee ou Improved Sewerage.
Sent up.
By Mr. Pearl of Ward 1— Petition of Benjamin
H. Stimpson, for payment of stock and labor fur-
nished the steamer Henry Morrison. Referred to
the Committee on Claims. Sent up.
By Mr. Kendricken of Ward 20 — Petition of Mrs.
Ann Markins, to be compensated for personal in-
juries received by a fall on the sidewalk. Referred
to the Committee on Claims. Seut up.
By Mr. Lovering of Ward 4— Petition of Francis
Childs and ochers for the appointment of Charles
Fisk as superintendent ot bathhouse at Maiden
Bridge. Referred to the Committee on Bathing.
Sent up.
REPORTS OF NOMINATING COMMITTEES.
Reports of joint special committees to nomi-
nate city officers were submitted as follows:
By Mr. Quigley of Ward 20— For City Engineer,
Joseph P. Davis.
By Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— For Citv Solicitor,
John P. Healy.
By Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— For City Archi-
tect, George A. Clough.
By Mr. Brown of Ward 23 — For Superintendent
of Public Buildings, James C. Tucker.
By Mr. Perham of Ward 23— For Superintendent
of Streets, Charles Harris.
By Mr. Pearl of Ward 1— For Superintendent ot
Sewers, William H. Bradley.
By Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— For City Messen-
ger, Alvah H. Peters.
By Mr. Cox of Ward 14— For Suoerintendent of
Public Lands, Robert W. Hall.
By Mr. Thorndike of Ward 2— For City Survey-
or, Thomas W. Davis.
By Mr. Pierce of Ward 24— For Commissioner of
JANUARY 31, 1878
33
Cedar Grove Cemetery (for five years), William
Pope.
By Mr. Kidney of Ward 6— For Clerk of Com-
mittees—William H. Lee.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 submitted a report
from the Joint Standing Committee on Assessors'
Department, in conformity with the ordinance,
nominating as Assessors Thomas Hills, Benja-
min Cushing, Benjamin F. Palmer, Edward F.
Robinson and Horace Smith.
By Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— For Water
Registrar, William F. Davis.
By Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— For City Registrar,
Nicholas A. Apollonio.
The reports were severally accepted. Sent up.
The nominations were laid over.
HEALTH APPROPRIATION.
Mr. Sampson ot Ward 17 submitted a report
from the Finance Committee on request of the
Board of Health for a transfer of the balance of
the appropriation for Fever Hospital to the gen-
eral appropriation for Quarantine Department,
recommending the passage of an order— That the
Auditor of Accounts be and he is hereby author-
ized to transfer the sum of $359.17 from the ap-
propriation for Fever Hospital, Gallop's Island,
to that for Quarantine Department. The order
was passed to a second reading.
LABOR FOR RESIDENT DESTITUTE CITIZENS.
Mr. Roach of Ward 7 submitted the following:
The joint special committee appointed to con-
sider the expediency of providing such labor as
maybe advantageously done at this season of the
year for resident citizens destitute and unable to
obtain employment, and to whom was referred the
petition of M. J. Savage and 1300 others, asking
that immediate measures of relief be adopted,
having considered the subject, beg leave to sub-
mit the following report. The committee gave a
public hearing, at wbich the petitioners, through
their representatives, were present and submitted
testimony to prove the distress existing among
the unemployed in this city. No practicable
measures for relief were presented.
The petitioners urged that thepublic works, for
which large appropriations have been made,
should be immediately commenced, in order to
afford employment to those needing it.
It was evident that the majority of the petition-
ers who were present at the hearing were unin-
formed as to the status of the public works which
they wished to have immediately commenced, and
that they were not aware that either the terms of
the statutes authorizing the work, or the condi-
tions attached to the orders making the appro-
priations, were such as to necessitate the settle-
ment of many preliminaries before any part of
the work could be actually begun; while in some
cases the season of the year was unpropitious for
the execution of any work except at great loss to
the city. The committee believed that a true
statement of the facts from authoritative sources
was due the petitioners, and therefore addressed
a communication to the heads of departments
having charge of works which will necessitate
the employment of laborers, and present the fol-
lowing abstracts of the replies:
The chairman of the Committee on the Im-
provement of Stony Brook writes as follows:
"In reply to your communication inquiring
whether any part of the work of improving Stony
Brook, which will afford employment to laborers,
can be immediately commenced, and whether any
action on the part of the City Council will hasten
the beginning of the work, I regret to say that no
work can be done upon the brook until the pro-
visions of the statute which authorizes the city to
make the improvement are complied with.
"For the purpose of improving Stony Brook the
city is authorized to take or purchase land on
either side thereof, and it is, therefore, necessary,
in the first place, that accurate plans of the land
bordering on the brook should be prepared.
"After the plans are prepared it will be neces-
sary to negotiate with the owners of estates for
the purchase of such land as maybe required, and
for the right to make such alterations upon their
respective premises as maybe needed to carry out
the improvement.
"In cases where the land cannot be purchased
it will be necessary to take it, according to the
form prescribed by the statute.
"These preliminary steps must be taken with
care, otherwise the city will be liable to be in-
volved iu vexatious and expensive litigation.
The Committee on the Improvement of Stony
Brook are progressing in the matter as fast as
possible, and hope to have the preliminary ar-
rangements completed at an early day. Until
then no action on the part of the City Council will
hasten matters.
"It is perhaps unnecessary for me to say that the
committee fully sympathize with the efforts that
are being made to provide labor for the unem-
ployed, and will use every means in their power
to forward the work under their charge, in order
that laborers may be employed thereon.
Very respectfully yours,
J. S. Robinson, Chairman."
In reply to the questions of the committee as to
the expediency of proceeding with the work of
constructing the improved system of sewerage,
the acting City Engineer writes as follows:
"Referring to your communication of the 26th
inst., in regard to furnishing employment upon
the improved sewerage work at this season, I re-
ply that almost the only kind of work contem-
plated is the building of sewers and other struc-
tures of brick, stone and concrete masonry, and
that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to
lay such masonry during freezing weather, so that
I could not be responsible for its durability or ef-
ficiency if built at this time. By tunnelling, the
sewer could be built during the winter, but unfor-
tunately very little of the line is suitable for this
method of construction. A certain amount of
filling of roadways is also connected with the
scheme, but this is iniended to be done after the
sewer shall have been completed, since it would
add largely to its cost to excavate through
the additional filling. There is a short sec-
tion on Ninth street, west of H street, which will
have to be filled above high water before the
sewer can be built. This, so far as we are con-
cerned, might be done at once, but as the street is
not yet laid out, it would have to be a subject for
negotiation and agreement with the Street Com-
missioners and others.
Yours respectfully,
Henry M. Wightman,
Acting City Engineer."
The communication sent to the Street Commis-
sioners requested information particularly in re-
lation to the prospect of an early commencement
of the work of widening Commercial street. It
should ba understood that the order, passed by
the last City Council, appropriating $500,000 for
this work, contained the following conditions:
"Provided that said street be widened mainly
on the water side, and to a width not to exceed
eighty feet; and provided further, that if the esti-
mate of the Street Commissioners for the expense
of widening, grading and repaying said street
shall exceed said sum of $500,000, no part of said
sum shall be expended until the abutters, cor-
porations and persons interested in said street
widening shall agree to contribute such sums of
money as will, with said appropriation of $500,000,
be sufficient to cover said expense."
The Street Commissioners replied as follows:
"The construction of streets already laid out by
the Street Commissioners, which might furnish
work at this time, is in the hands of the Commit-
tee on Paving, under direction of the Board of
Aldermen. The Commissioners have ordered a
survey of Commercial street, which is not likely
to be finished before the first of April. If it is
found possible to widen the street under the con-
ditions of the order making the appropriation for
the purpose, it is notprobaDle that much could
be accomplished towards it until the first of July,
and then time must be given abutters to remove
buildings, etc. The Commissioners have no other
streets to lay out than can be depended upon to
furnish work during the present winter mouths.
Respectfully, Newton Talbot,
Chairman."
The following was received from the Superin-
tendent of Sewers:
"In answer to your communication of this date
asking if there is any work in this department
which can be immediately begun, I would reply
that there is no work which can at present be
done in this department. Respectfully your
obedient servant, W. H. Bradley,
Superintendent Sewers."
The Superintendent of Streets sent the follow-
ing reuly :
"I ain in receipt of your communication of Jan.
25, asking whether there is any work in the Pav-
ing Department upon which laborers can
be employed, which can be advantageously done
at this season of the year, and also whether any
action on the p&rt of the Council will hasten the
beginning of any such work. In answer thereto
34
COMMON COUNCIL
I have the honor to report tbat there are on the
rolls of the department at the present time 573
laborers employed on half time; that the force is
sufficient to perform all the work required of the
department during the present season, and is as
large as the state of the appropriation will war-
rant.
"If the City Council should see tit to provide the
means, a limited number of men, say three hun-
dred, might be employed on ledges in Roxbury,
Dorchester, West Roxbury and Brighton, in quar-
rying stone for use next season. If this should be
done, it must be borne in mind that it would be
anticipating the wants of the department, and
would deprive an equal number of men next
spring of the amount of work which wonld be
done now. Also, tbat this work cannot be done
as advantageously now as in the spring, when the
days will be longer, the ground free from frost,
and the weather not so variable and uncertain as
at this season. Respectfully yours,
Charles Harris,
Superintendent of Streets."
From the foregoing it will be seen that there
are no public works for which appropriations
have been made, and which can properly be com-
menced and carried on at the present time. Your
committee, therefore, believe, and so report, that
it is inexpedient and impossible to increase the
number of laborers already in the city's employ,
or to commence any of the large public improve-
ments for which special appropriations have been
made.
In coming to this conclusion your committee
have been governed by the" principle that
it is always inexpedient and unjust to
distribute charity in the form of work;
that is, to pay for services which do not
return to the city a fair equivalent for the sum
expended, in the form of completed work. The
Statutes of the State make it the duty of the city
to afford relief to such poor and indigent persons
as are residents of the city, but where the policy
of emploving men to do unnecessary or useless
work is adopted it is impossible to go into ques-
tions of settlement, and so the unemployed of the
country towns and smaller cities flock in to over-
crowd the labor market, and thus the measure
which the laborer is told is passed in his favor
eventually works him great harm. Such a policy
is clearly unjust to the taxpayer, whose money is
taken without his consent for" a purpose not con-
templated by law, and unjust to the working classes
who are sure to be injured by it. In referring to
the working classes your committee mean to in-
clude not only the persons working for the city,
but also the very much greater number of persons
in private employ who see their places taken or
their wages lowered by pressure from the crowd
thus attracted to the city. Your committee, how-
ever, are fully aware of the tact that suffering
does exist in" the city at the present time, and
they are in favor of beginning any public work
which can be advantageously carried on at this
season ; not only for the reason that relief will
thereby be given to the persons out of
employ, but because it is good policy to take ad-
vantage of the cheap labor which is now offered,
to do work which must, in any case, be done soon.
It appears that the city owns a bank on Heath
street which at present is but little used, as the
soil is not suitable lor making streets; but it is
suitable for rilling, and from its situation in rela-
tion to the entrance from Huntington and Brook
line avenues to the Back Bay park it s believed
that filling can be furnished in carts for said en-
trances at lower rates than it can be delivered by
railroad. Therefore, and after consultation with
the Joint Special Committee on Parks and the
Park Commissioners, your committee recommend
the passage of the following orders.
Thomas J. Whidden.
Curtis Guild.
Richard Roach.
Robert M. THOMPSON.
Robert Cox.
Ordered, That the Park Commissioners be and
they hereby are authorized to expend the sum of
$25,000 in tilling, grading, surveying and laying
out the Back Bay park, so-called, and the Com-
mittee on Finance are requested to provide the
means.
Ordered, That the Park Commissioners be and
they hereby are authorized to take and use the
soil and gravel from l, and seeing that importance, they went
and cast their votes accordingly, without regard
to the amount of taxes they pay. They were given
to understand that the interests of the city of
Boston required a change, and such a change,
took place. I don't see that the information to be
obtained by this order will be of any earthly use,
but merely a matter of ornament.
Mr. Barry — This order is not a pertinent subject
for this body to take into consideration. As a cit-
izen of Boston, I believe we all ought to investi-
gate into the matter of elections; but if gentle-
men want this information, there is the Social
Science Association for investigating into this
question. Let the gentleman take his list and get
the information and present it in a paper to
the association, and let him discuss outside
as a citizen the best method of conducting the
city of Boston; but I say it is not a pertinent sub-
ject to be brought here in the City Council. We
were elected to the Government tor the present
time and to act upon matters as we find them.
Mr. Rust— The motives attributed to me were
farthest from my thought* when I put this order
in. I thought there were other members who de-
Sired this information as well as myself, ami I did
it for what I thought to be for the best good.
On motion of Mr. Barry, the yeas and nays were
ordered on the question of indefinite postpone-
ment.
Mr. Thompson— In order that my position may
not oe misrepresented, I wish t> add one word
more. The gentleman from Ward 19 [Mr. Braw-
ley] stated that my position was in opposition to
that of the Mayor in his inaugural address, and
he read extracts from that address; but I fail to
find in what the Mayor said any oppo-
sition to what I said. He said the Mayor
was against any chauge. I did not say I favored
any. I merely said that there was a petition be-
fore the Legislature and that action was being
taken elsewhere looking to a change in the law.
Mr. Harry called Mr. Thompson to order, raising
the point that he was wandering from the sub-
ject.
The President said he thought Mr. Thompson
was in order.
Mr. Thompson— It seemed to me that while this
important discussion is tauing place it is the duty
of every citizen and municipal body to establish
facts bearing upon this investigation. We can
aid in this investigation, and I hope it will be
done.
Mr. Spenceley— 1 can't tell what the object was
iu offering this order, but it seems to me no one
can object to it. I have paid a pretty large tax,
and I may pay only a poll tax, but I shall go to
the ballot box with just the same pride. I cannot
see anything in the order that will prevent any-
thing of that kind. The only question that strikes
me is whether it will cost a great deal.
Mr. Barry— I am as desirous as any gentleman
of having the information, and I believe Boston
ought to be governed honestly. But I do not be-
lieve tbis'is a pertinent question to come before
the City Council.
Mr. Kosnosky of Ward 16—1 favor indefinite
postponement because the order is expensive.
The gentlemen desiring the information can get
it by wards from the Assessors.
Mr. Smith of Ward 9—1 hope the order will not
be indefinitely postponed. I should like the infor-
mation myself, and my only objection is that
it might be very expensive. I can see
wherein it will be beneficial to members of the
Council and citizens generally. I am not afraid
of my rights as a Massachusetts taxpayer. I
believe there never will be any consider-
able number of men in Massachusetts who desire
to curtail the rights of any man, and I ami
one of those who are frightened by the cry of
wolf. If I only pay $2 poll tax I am as proud of
my right as is the man who pays taxes on his
millions." I have paid a poll tax only, and some-
times a little more, for the last thirty- five
years in Boston, and never yet saw the day tbat
my own vote contributed to disfranchise me. I
hope the order will pass. Let us have the infor-
mation if it is worth the expense of getting it.
Mr. Rust— The chairman of the Assessors told
me it would possibly cost $500.
The motion to indefinitely postpone was lost-
yeas 31, nays 34:
Yras— .Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Coe, Colby, Cox,
Denny, Devlin, Drynan, Femald, Flynn, Ken-
dricken, Kidney, McGahey, McGaragle, Mc-
Geough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Connor, Pearl, Per-
ham, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, J. Taylor, Thorn-
dike, Whicber, \\ ilsou— 30.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Crocker,
Danforth, Day, Ham, Hill, Hollis, Howland, Lov-
ering, McDonald, Mowry, Nason, Pierce, Plimp-
ton, J. B. Richardsou, M. W. Richardson, Roberts,
Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson, H. N. Saw-
yer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, Spenceley, J. F.
Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Wolcott, Wool-
ley, Wyman— 34.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Doherty, Hib-
bard, Kelley, I, a u ten, Sibley, Webster— 6.
Mr. Barry moved to lay on the table. Carried
by a division— 32 tor, 30 against.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Spenceley.
• 1 .
37
HOARD OF AJ^UErtMEN
CITY OF BOS TON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY 4, 1878.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. M., Alder-
man Stebbins presiding.
JURORS DRAWN.
Thirty-two traverse jurors were drawn for the
January teim of the Superior Court, Second Ses-
sion.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.
Superintendent of Lamps— George H. Allen.
Confirmed.
Coal Weighers- James P. Stewart, Charles H.
Moseiey. Coutiruied.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Report and order to take land at Old Harbor
Point for purposes of a pumping station online
of the great sewer. (City Doc. No. 17.) Passed.
Sent down.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on St wera. Otis Norcross et
al., that the city would accept the sewer in the
passageway between Commonwealth avenue and
Marlborough street.
To the Committee on Annoiies. Company A,
First Battalion Infantry, lor an allowance for
furniture of armory.
To the Special Committee to dominate Inspec-
tors of Lighter*. William H. Coleman, for ap-
pointment as a weigher, etc.. of lighters.
To the Committee on Public Lands. Charles
Heinhardt, that the bond ot estate 78 Middlesex
street be cancelled and a new one issued.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Boxrd. Petitions for leave to occupy stables by
Lorin Clark, Adams street, new wooden, four
UOWM and one horse; Thomas Donnelly, Ashland
street, new wooden, one hor.*e; P. H. Henderson,
Orchard street, new w<>< den, two horses; Henry
Dudley, Elm street, rear of Gieen, new brick,
twenty horses.
To the Committee on Licenses. Richard Fitz-
?;erald, dealer in wood and coal, for leave to stand
lis wheelbairow or hand cait in fiontof 101 West
Hrookline street, during business hours.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM THE COMMON
COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Repi it referring to Committee on the Assesors'
Department the petition ot C. F. Shiiumin et al.,
trustees, for abatement of tax. Accepted and
relerred in concurrence.
Order for Committee on Public Buildings to re-
port on the expediency of providing a new ward-
ro >tn for Ward 1. Passed in concurrence.
Reference to Board of Health ot the order re-
lating to the tilling of the Mill Pond and flats.
Concurred.
Order to provide $284, for services of a temnora-
ry clerk in the Water Registrar's Department.
Passed iu concurrence.
Request of Boston Water Board for authority to
contract for additional pipes tor Cochitiiate
wo'ks. Referred to the Committee on Water in
concurrence.
Resolve and order from Board of Street Com-
missioners to extend Hereford street to Common-
wealth avenue; estimated expense, §33,337 50. Re-
lerred to Committee on Streets in concurrence.
Report of Committee on Unemployed Labor,
with an order for Park Commissioners to ex-
pend $25,000 for filling the Back Bay Park. Re-
ferred to Committee on Finance; also an order
appended to said report authorizing the taking i»f
soil from the eity land on Heath street lor that
purpose came up passed. Concurred.
Communication from the Board of Fire < oro-
missioners in response to the inquiry as f> the
efficiency of the tire boat, and the reasons for the
discontinuance of rations to the crew. Referred
to the Special Committee on Subject of Fi it-
Boat, etc., in concurrence.
PETITIONS FOR IMPROVING THE BACK-BAY PARK.
A petition came up from S. C. Cobb and others,
in favor of the city abating a nuisance on Back
Bay by commencing at once to improve the pro-
posed park, and the question was on lefereuceto
the Special Committee on Public Parks in concur-
rence.
At the request of Alderman Guild, the Chair-
man read the petition.
Alderman Guild — 1 call attention to the petition
for the purpose of having it fully understood that
the demand for the layiug out of this park and
for the abatement of this nuisance is made by
those who will have to pay the larger portion of
the cost. When any project is brought forward
in the City Council for the establishment of
public parks, or the improvement of those
already laid out, we frequently hear it urged
that such a measure is antagonistic to the
best interest of the city of Boston. Now,
sir, I have the honor of presenting a number of
petitions for this improvement, which have been
handed to me today, and I think that if the names
ot the petitioners were placed before the public
they would be found to be those Ol a majority of
the heaviest taxpayers In the city of Boston who
want this nuisance abated and this land laid out
as a park and improved as soon as possible; and I
also want to call the attention ot those who read
and hear this to the fact that the performance of
it will give employment to the worthy poor ol the
city ol Boston. Therefore it is imperative, when
the proper time comes, for us to act upon this
petition. As I said, the petitions come from pat-
ties who will be largely called upon to pay the ex-
pense of it. 1 have one inmv hand which leads off
with Henry P. Kidder, D. N.'Skillings, E. A. White
and Benjamin K. Stevens and other very large
owners of property in the city of Bo-ton, who
pray lor the same action as is ai-ked lor in the
petition which vou have read. It is one of the
means bv which employment may be given to
worthy poor citizens of Boston.
The petiiion which came up was referred to the
Special Committee on Parks in concurrence, and
Alderman Guild presented the following, which
were referred tot he same committee and sentdown:
D.A.Dunbar, L. B. Hiscock, A. J. Wilkinson,
Joel Goldthwait, and eight others; Jacob Ed-
wards, Barney Corey, Tower, Giodings & Co., and
eighteen others; William Gray. Francis Jaques,
C. H. Warner, G. A. Soinerby, Thomas Dana, and
one bundled and thirty others; and H. P. Kidder,
Benjamin F. Stevens, John C. Ropes, Albeit
Bowker, and eighteen others, in aid of petition
of S. C. Cobl) and others, lor immediate develop-
ment ot Back Bay Park and avenues.
ELECTIONS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Reports of nominating committees came up,
with, nominations of sundry city officers, as lol-
tollows:
As-essors— Thomas Hdls, Benjamin dishing,
Benjamin F. Palmer, Edward P. Robinson and
Horace Smith.
Clerk oi Committees— William H. Lee.
City Architect— George a. (lough.
Commissioner on Cedar Grove Cemetery— Wil-
liam Pope.
City Ei gineer— Joseph P. Davi->.
City Surveyor — Thomas W. Davis,
City Registrar— N. A. Auollouio.
City Solicitor -John 1' Heaiy.
City Messenger — Alvah H. Peters.
Supeiintendent of Public Buildings— James C.
Tucker.
Superintendent of Sewers— William H. Bradley.
Superintendent of Streets— Chailes Harris.
Superintendent ot Public Lands— Robert W.
Hall.
Water Registrar— William F. I)a\i«.
The reporis were severally accepted in concur-
rence, and on motion or Alderman Viles the
Board proceeded to the elections, with the follow-
ing resiilrs:
City Engineer, t'ommittee— Aldermen Viles,
Slade. Joseph 1'. Davis had eleven votes, ami
was declared elected. Sent. down.
City Surveyor. Committee— Aldermen Faunce,
Guild. Thomas W. Da/is had eleven voles, anil
was declared elected. Sent down.
City Registrar. Aldermen Harris, McLean. N.
A. Apodonio, had ten votes, ihe whole number
casr. and was declared elected. Sent down.
City Solicitor. Committee — Aldermen Slade,
YVhiddeu. Johr P. Healy had ten votes, the wh- le
number, and was declared elected. Sent down.
Commissioner on Cedar Grove CemHti y. Com-
mittee—Aldermen Viles, McLean. William Pope
had eleveu votes, and was declared elected. '3ent
down.
Clerk of I'ommiltees. Committee— Aldermen
Robinson, Whiton. William H. Lee had ten votes
and was declared elected. Sent down.
FEBRUAKY 4 , 1878
38
City Architect. Committee — Aldermen Harris,
Hayden. George A. Clough had eleven votes and
was declared elected. Sent down.
City Messenger. Committee— Aldermen Harris,
Viles. Alvah H. Peters bad eleven votes, and was
declared elected. Sent down.
Superintendent of Public Buildings. Commit-
tee — Aldermen Slade, Faunce. James C. Tucker
bad eleven votes, and was declared elected. Sent
down.
^Water Registrar. Committee— Aldermen Whid-
den, McLean. William F. Davis had eleven votes,
and was declared elected. Sent down.
Superintendent of Sewers. Committee — Alder-
men Robinson, Hayden. William H. Bradley had
eleven votes, and was declared elected. Sent
down.
Superintendent of Streets. The election of Su-
perintendent of Streets was laid over one week
on motion of Alderman Whidden.
Superintendent of Public Lands. Committee-
Aldermen Whiton, Guild. Kobert W. Hall had
eleven votes and was declared elected. Sent
down.
Assessors. Committee— Aldermen Hayden, Rob-
inson.
Whole number of votes 11
Necessary for a choice 6
Thomas Hills -. . 10
Benjamin Oushing 11
Benjamin F. Palmer 11
Edward F. Robinson.; 11
Joshua S. Duncklee 8
Horace Smith 4
And Messrs. Hills, Cushing, Palmer, Robinson and
Duncklee were declared elected. Sent down.
MYSTIC VALLEY RAILROAD.
The petition of Mystic Valley Railroad Corpora-
tion for approval of their route to and their ter-
minus in this city was considered on an order of
notice for a hearing. No one appeared for or
against the petition, and it was laid on the table.
BOND APPROVED.
The bond of Charles D. Annable, constable, be-
ing presented duly certified, was approved by the
Board.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The report of the Overseers of the Poor for
quarter ending Jan. 31, 1878, was received. Re-
ceipts $34,309.94 ; balance on hand, $6210.93. Sent
down.
PETITION FOR STEAM ENGINE.
A petition was received from Moulton & Good-
win, for leave to locate and use a steam engine
and boiler at 119-123 Water .street, and an order of
notice was passed for a hearing thereon on Mon-
day, Feb. 25, at four o'clock P. M. No one ap-
peared to object, and the petition was referred to
Committee on Steam Engines.
FRANKLIN FUND.
Alderman Whiton submitted a report from the
committee appointed to examine the accounts of
S. F. McCleary, treasurer of the Franklin Fund—
That they find said accounts have been correctly
kept, the" interest duly collected, and the securi-
ties, which were examined by the committee,
were found in proper condition. It appears, from
this examination, that the condition of the fund
at this date is as follows:
Amount of fund Feb. 1, 1877 $218,800.58
Interest accrued and collected 10,925.82
#229,726.40
The above sum is invested as follows:
Deposits in Massachusetts Hospital Life
office 8227,722.05
Deposits in Provident Institution for Sav-
ings 122.91
Deposits in Suffolk Savings Bank 211.26
Value of nine bonds for loans 1,670.00
Cash... .18
8229,726.40
Accepted.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses, as follows:
Minors' Applications Granted — Twenty-four
newsboys.
Amusement Licenses Granted— John Drynan,
to give an athletic exhibition at Beethoven Hall,
Feb. 20, subject to the control of the police; War-
ren-street Chapel, to give a festival at Music Hall,
Feb. 22.
Carriage License Granted— Warren S. Brown,
819 Washington street, after 9 P. M.
Wagon License Granted — Jacob F. Emerson,
127 Fulton street.
Victualler's License Refused— J. F. Ferdinand,
53-55 Kingston street.
Auctioneers Licensed— David C. Sisson, 3 Motte
street; Joseph E. Clark, 588 Broadway.
Hack License Refused — Henry L. Hawes, 77
Court street.
Severally accepted.
MASKED BALLS.
Alderman Faunce offered an order — That the
Committee on Licenses be requested to appear
before the appropriate legislative committee and
oppose the proposed modification of chapter 88
section 77 of the General Statutes, by which pub-
lic masked balls are prohibited. Passed.
SECOND ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Alderman Hayden submitted a report from the
Joint Committee on Assessors' Department, who
were req uested to consider the expediency of
abolishing the office of Second Assistant Assessor,
that they deem it inexpedient to abolish said
office. Accepted. Sent down.
Subsequently Alderman Faunce offered an or-
der—That the Committee on Ordinances be re-
quested to consider the expediency of so amend-
ing the ordinance in relation to the assessment
and collection of taxes as to provicfe that the Sec-
ond Assistant Assessors shall be appointed by the
Principal Assessors. Passed. Sent down.
TREES REMOVED.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Common on the paft of the Board-
That leave be granted to William Blakeuiore and
Elizabeth Carter to remove certain trees near
their premises at their own expense, severally
under the direction of the Superintendent of Pub-
lic Grounds. Severally accepted.
ARMY AND NAYY MEMORIAL.
Alderman Guild submitted a report from the
Committee on Printing that it is inexpedient to
print a second edition of the Army and Navy
Memorial volume. Accepted. Sent down.
POLICE COMMISSION.
Alderman Guild submitted the following:
The Joint Standing Committee on Ordinances,
to whom was referred so much of the Mayor's
address as relates to placing the administration of
police and the issuing: of licenses in a board of
police commissioners, having considered the sub-
ject beg leave to submit the following report:
The committee fully agree with the views of his
Honor the iVlayor in regard to the desirability of a
change in the management of the Police Depart-
ment, and believe that the plan suggested or pla-
cing the administration of police, and the duty in
regard to the issuing of licenses, both for the sale
of liquor and for other purposes, in charge
of a board of commissioners, to be the best
and most economical method of improv-
ing the discipline of the department and of se-
curing increased efficiency in the enforcement of
the laws and ordinances. As the administration
of police is by statute vested exclusively with the
Mayor and Aldermen, it will be necessary to ob-
tain legislative authority before any change can
be made, and the committee submit herewith an
order for obtaining the necessary authority and
respectfully recommend the passage of the same.
For the committee,
Curtis Guild, Chairman.
Ordered, That his Honor the Mayor be request-
ed to petition the General Court now in session
for the passage of an act authorizing the City
Council to establish by ordinance a Board of Po-
lice Commissioners, and confer upon said board
the authority to exercise all or any of the powers
in relation to the administration of police and the
issuing of licenses now vested by statute or or-
dinances in the City Council or in either branch
thereof.
The order was read once and laid over.
Later in the session, Alderman Guild moved
that the order take its second reading, as the time
for petitioning the Legislature is short, and per-
haps it is well to get the matter along as speedily
as possible.
Alderman Viles— It is a very important order,
and 1 trust we shall not pass it to a second read-
ing tonight. I wish to consider it, and want more
time to do so than I have had. I should like to
have it lie. over at least another week.
Alderman Guild— The Alderman Will see that it
is merely asking for authority to establish the
commission. The authority might not be exer-
39
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
cised by the City Council, if obtained. The time
is rather short, and it might be bandied about in
the lower branch until it is too late. That is the
only reason I ask for the second reading.
Alderman Viles— It is quite a new departure,
and I trust we shall consider it a little longer. I
would like to consult the other members of the
Committee on Police and the members of the
Board, and I hope it will lie over a week at least.
The Board refused to give the order a second
reading at this session— 2 for, 5 against— and the
order went over.
SOUTH B08TOK RAILROAD.
Alderman Whidden submitted a report from
the Committee on Paving, with an order of notice
for a hearing on Monday, Feb. 25, at four o'clock
P. M.,on the petition of the South Boston Rail-
road, for leave to run their cars over Dover-
street Bridge, and up and down Washington
street to Milk street, etc. Order passed.
PERMITS FOR ST A ISLES.
Alderman Viles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health on the part of the Board in
favor of granting permits to occupy stables by
John Farquhars & Sons, rear20 and 22 East street;
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Mc In tire, Corbett street ; .1. A.
Riedell & Co., Newbury street, corner Hereford
street. Seve^Uly accepted.
PROJECTING SIGNS.
Alderman Viles submitted reports from the
Committee on Police as follows: Of leave to
withdraw on the petition of Allen. Shapleigh &
Co., for leave to project a business sign in iront
of 85-7 Court street, and that leave be granted
Charles E. Guild to project a druggist's mortar at
at the corner of Berkeley and Tremont streets.
Severally accepted.
MARKET.
Alderman Slade submitted a report from the
Committee on Market, recommending the ap-
proval of the transfer of the lease of Stall 13, New
Faneuil Hall .Market, by S. C. Tryon to ,1. P. and
J. O. Squire. Accepted.
CONTRACTS INVOLVING EMPLOYMENT OF LAUOR-
EBS.
Aldermau "Whidden offered an order— That the
Committee on Ordinances consider the expediency
of repealing the ordinance passed Dec. 28, 1876,
entitled "An ordinance in relation to contracts
involving the employment of laborers.'"
Alderman Whidden— I offer that order for the
interest not only of the city or Boston, as I think,
but for the interest of the laboring classes— those
whom, it would seem, it was intended should be
benefited by the passage of this ordinance. From
its results, as it has been applied, it seems to lead
to confusion. No good results from it, and it pro-
duces dissatisfaction, with no final adjustment of
the question. "When the ordinance was discussed
at the time of its adoption, 1 felt opposed to it,
and held the same opinion which I hold now after
knowing something of its practical operation.
The question is left with the committee to adopt
this form of contract, or protection, as it
is called; but, in my opinion, it needs no
protection whatever, and it only produces annoy-
ance where it has been practically in force. A
contractor in the Improved Sewerage Department
in South Boston owed laborers something like
$800, and their certification to the City Clerk
keeps the money back, and they cannot get it,
the City Treasurer cannot pay it out, and the con-
tractor cannot draw it. In consultation with the
City Solicitor a few days ago, he said that in his
opinion it could not be effective, and the same
process would have to be gone through with as
though it were trusteed by legal process, to obtain
the money, and there is no other way to do so ex-
cept to obtain an order from the individual, which
can be obtained from the party as easily and bet-
ter than by this form, and thus relieve the city
from the annoyance of a provision which pro-
duces no good. The repeal of the ordinance will
relieve the city trom the position of acting as
guardian, to a certain extent, of this class of
laborers, and also leaves the city from the encum-
brance of having a poor class of mechanics foisted
upon it in the execution of contracts. I don't
know in what respect the ordinance can benefit
any one who adopts the means it provides of hold-
ing the money, lean see no benefit whatever; I
can only see a cause of trouble, annoyance, deten-
tion, and a long lapse of time before the settling
of the matter. Therefore, I can see only trouble
to the city and to those whom it is intended to
benefit, and I have introduced this order for its
repeal.
Alderman McLean— I gather from the drift of
the remarks of the gentleman who has just taken
his seat, that if this ordinance is rescinded it will
be the means of getting a better and more sub-
stantial class of contractors to do city work. Is
that the point?
Alderman Whidden— That is secondary; the
first point is to relieve the city and those whom it
is intended to benefit from the trouble and an-
noyances of a provision which produces no good.
Aldermau Guild— If I understand the Alderman,
he said there were more efficient means of attain-
ing the eDtl desired. If I understand it. this de-
duction was intended to be made in case the con-
tractor ran away, and that some of the money
should be kept back to pay the laborers, in case
he does not have anything* on hand to pay them.
The Alderman says that some other method can
be adopted. We certainly want some method
adopted if it can be, and 1 hope he will gratify the
Committee on Ordinances by suggesting one.
Alderman Whidden — I did' not intend to imply
that I had any other method. I think other ruech-
ods might be applied to this subject which would
work much more efficiently ; but I do not feel dis-
posed to advance my ideas in regard to them. It
does not give the laboring men the protection it
was intended to do, by its advocates, and I think
it is a source of detention and dissatisfaction.
Another thing, 1 object very strongly to the city
assuming to protect laborers in the employ of
contractors for the city. I don't think that duty
belongs to the city, and I don't think the city
should assume any such care as the guardianship
over them. As 1 said before, in doing that it as-
sumes the care and protection of a class of men
who come in and take contracts who are not qual-
ified to do so, whose standing is not sufficient to
guarantee the performance of the contract in any
other way, and therefore the city has assumed
this liability. That is the principal objection I
have to it.
Alderman McLean— It seems to me that it is
evident that some protection is needed for the
laboring men who are working for irresponsible
contractors. Evidently the gentleman is not one
of that class of contractors, and there are many
others who do not need watching. Nevertheless
it seems to me that something is necessary, but
whether this ordinance does its work is a ques-
tion, of course. The gentleman has looked into
it more than I have, but I think it is necessary
that the city should protect the laborers, or should
require the contractors to give sufficient bonds to
guarantee the work to be done and the laborers
to be paid. It seems to me that it this ordinance
isTepealed, it should be a part ol every contract
that sufficient bonds should be given to
make up for any deficiency in the payment of
the men, who ought to have a lien upon
the work. 1 would like to have such
provision if we can, although 1 am not
prepared to offer anytning; but I did feel at the
time this was passed that it was in the interest of
the laboring men; and 1 think that if it does not
do its work we ought to have something else.
Now there is no reason at all why the city should
be pursued, if you please, by shysters in the busi-
ness, and thereby drive out men who could do the
work at a fair price and pay the laborers fair pay ;
and it seems to me that in order to protect the
better class of contractors who do the city work,
some bonds should be required from the irre-
sponsible contractors who made it necessary
to make some such ordinance as this to protect
the laborers. While I am not prepared to say
what should be done, I think it is very evident
that something should be done. The Alderman
says he has consulted the City Solicitor, who says
it is no relief to the laborer, and an an-
noyance to the city. If that is the ease, it
is only a stumbling block in the way. I think
we had better not rescind this at present, but see
if something better cannot be done in its place,
and do something to protect the laborers who go
to work for the city, as they believe, and, as was
stated in the committee room the other day, work
and work for months, and finally are turned off
without a dollar, and they come to the city and
ask if something cannot be done to keep them
trom starving. Now, while I accept the explana-
tion given ot the working of this ordinance, and
if the gentleman shows that the city's interest
suffers, and that the laboring men receive no ben-
efit, then I shall be in favor of rescinding it; but I
think that something ought to take its place and
FEBRUARY 4,, 1878.
40
provide for what was intended to be provided for
at the time it was passed. „ ,
Alderman Whidden— I doii't^hihk it, is advisa-
ble to go into an argument oh this subject. If it
is referred to the Committee on Ordinances, .un-
doubtedly they will give it careful attention, and
if, in their judgment, it seems best, they will pro-
pose something in the place of it. When the gen-
tleman made his statement first, it was a good
deal more than that the city should protect the
laborers from irresponsible contractors. Now I
say that the city should protect itself from irre-
sponsible contractors; it should not employ such
men upon its work. This ordinance is a means of
bringing in such men, and on thatgrouud I favor
its repeal. It is well known that irresponsible
contractors can come to City Hall and get
contracts when responsible men know they can-
not get contracts. The repeal of the or-
dinance is not only, in the interest of the city, but
of the laboring nien. I know that some laborers
have sold their claims for seventy cents on the
dollar, and that prospectively they were good for
nothing. I have letters asking me to use my in-
fluence in committee to protect these men; but
the committee can do nothing. The laborers have
filed their claims with the City Clerk, the money
is retained and they cannot get it. That is the
process. The City Solicitor says they can trustee
it, but their counsel tells me they cannot, and
that makes it still worse. I think that all this
management in attempting to protect the labor-
ing men leads lo wrong. I think it is an
encouragement to make contracts with irre-
sponsible parties and brings in a class of people
here that should not get contracts from the
city. The bonds will have no effect; almost every-
body can give a bond, and so long as he has the
bond he will get the contract, if he is the lowest
man who bids. The city and laborers suffer, and
there is no protection either to the city or to the
laboring men. If it goes to the Committee on
Ordinances I think they can propose something
in its stead, although I am individually opposed
to the city assuming any such protection.
Alderman Guild — I think the Committee on Or-
dinances would like to have the subject pretty thor-
oughly ventilated. I remember when this subject
was brought up and discussed. It was designed to
protect the laborers from dishonest contractors.
There were dishonest men who obtained con-
tracts, and gave the fairest bonds for the per-
formance of them ; and not only that, but there
were men who intended to do right, and failed;
they collected the money up to the last month and
paid the men up to that time, and on the last
month they came down to City Hall and collected
their money and the laborers lost their last
month's pay. It is difficult to convince those la-
boring men that they are not working for the city
of Boston. The Alderman says this money is
locked up and cannot be trusteed. It is informa-
tion to me that it cannot be trusteed by the labor-
er. If he proves his claim, it becomes his money.
Alderman McLean — I understand that this mat-
ter stands in this way : The man who is in fault is
a sub-contractor; that the contractor let a part of
the work to the sub-contractor, of whom the city
has no knowledge, and in consequence of that the
money is tied up and cannot be paid over. If I
am not right the chairman will correct me; — per-
haps he knows more about it. I understand that
the original contractor cannot draw the money
on account ol this ordinance being in existence.
In this phase of the case it may be necessary that
this matter should be adjusted and this ordinance
repealed; nevertheless, while I am up, for the
benefit of the Committee on Ordinances — the
chairman says the committee would like to
have this matter discussed here — I would say that
if this matter does come up before them, or any
other matter of like import, I hope he will
see to it that the city shall be debarred from giv-
ing a contract to irresponsible parties, notwith-
standing the Alderman says that anybody can
give a bond. We don't intend to take straw bail,
and though, of course, the gentleman's word is a.
bond, and there are many others like him, but I
think he should give a bond to perform any con-
tract which he makes. I believe it is a proper
thing for the Committee on Ordinances to con-
sider, and if the Board will pardon me I will say
that no one deprecates the letting out of contracts
to irresponsible parties more than myself. I am
not in the line of business by which the city can
be cheated by me, and there is nothing in my line
by which I could serve the city, and I am able to
talk independently; but I do hope that
such responsible gentlemen as the gentle-
man on my right will serye the city by
taking contracts, but that they will be
required to give a good and sufficient bond for
the performance of any contract they may take.
In my experience I have known men with not a
dollar to lose come in and take away a contract
from me; in some cases I was glad of it, and in
others I should have been glad to do the work. I
hope the bond will be required.
Alderman Slade— If I understand the case the
person who took the contract gave sufficient
bonds. There is no trouble about the work, for
his bondsmen may do the work. The trouble is
that he underlet a" portion of the work, and the
money left here for the laborers has been trusteed
by some person whom he owes. The sub-contract-
or says that if the contractor can s;et the money he
can get his money and pay his men. The trouble is
it was trusteed before it could be got bold of. I
don't know what sort of an ordinance can be
made to meet such cases. I wish there was a
statute law that the city could not be trusteed
for anything. Here is a case where a party has
given sufficient bonds, and satisfactory bonds,
too, to fulfil his portion of the work, and his
money being trusteed by outside parties, it can-
not be paid to him, and he cannot pay the sub-
contractor, who cannot pay his men. If one of
them coultt get hold "of the money the men
could be paid.
Alderman Whidden — I don't understand that
this amount has been trusteed.
Alderman Slade— 1 am sure it has.
Alderman Whidden— As I understand it, this
amount remains for the purpose for which it was
intended, ana as I understand it, cannot be trus-
teed, and the counsel for the laborers tells me it
cannot, and that that is not the process to obtain it,
although Mr. Healy says it can, in his opinion,
and I should say it was correct. The information
I have got from all these parties is that that
amount remains to be paid over to those men
whenever it can be obtained to do so.
Alderman Slade— I think the Alderman will find
that that money has been trusteed.
The order was passed. Sent down.
ROXBURY CANAL.
On motion of Alderman Harris the order lor the
Committee on Improved Sewerage to consider the
subject of abating the nuisance in the Roxbury
Canal, and to inquire if any lurther legislation is
required, was taken from the table and passed in
concurrence.
On motion of Alderman Harris the petition of
David W. Cheever and others, for the abatement
of the Roxbury Canal rcuisauce, was taken from
the table and referred to the Committee on Im-
proved Sewerage in concurrence.
THE RATIONS OF THE FIRE-BOAT CREW.
On motion of Alderman Harris, the order to
restore the rations of the crew of the fire boat
was taken from the table and referred to the
Committee on Fire Department in concurrence.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The annual report of the Superintendent of
Public Buildings (City Doc. 18) was received.
The expenditures for the year were as follows:
On public buildings, $97,681. 38; on county build-
ings, $32,098.61; on schoolhouses, $104,376.04; for
extraordinary matters, such as building new
schoolhouses, etc., $372,000. The income from
rents, etc., has been $128,766.
During the past year the following buildings
have been completed:
Grammar schoolhouse for the Dorchester
Everett District #42,863. 45
Marcella-street Truant and Vagrant House. 37,282.91
Charles Sumner Grammar Scheolhouse,
West Roxbury, including furnishing, also
heating and ventilating apparatus 50,552.07
Engine House of AVood ant*. Harvard ave-
nue, Brighton, cost of land and building.. 8,182.72
During the past summer, by an order of the
City Council, a contract was entered into
with Messrs. Frederic Tudor & Co., to in-
troduce their ventilating apparatus into
City Hall in order to improve the ventila-
tion of the Council Chamber. The work
has cost, completed 3,000.00
Plans are nearly perfected, and work will be
commenced in the early spring upon a school-
house in Brighton, in the Allston District, upon
land owned by the city. Means for the construc-
tion of this building were provided by the City
Council of last year. The building in' many re-
spects will resemble the Weston-street school-
house.
41
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
It is believed that no new buildings for school
purposes will be required this year, excepting
uossibly a primary building in the Charlestown
T)istrict, upon the Folk-street lot.
The following is a comparative statement of the
number of county buildings, public buildings and
schoolhouses, together with the number of feet
of land covered by the same, between the years
1864 and 1878.
M
©
05
IC
M
to
~J
a
C.T
CS
«
CD
CO
-
©
CO
tc
w
©
to
cc
*■
©
-J
-4
6CO.O
W re »
x p, ~
The above will show a total increase in fourteen
years of 186 buildings, and of land equivalent to
about eighty-two acres.
The estimated valuation of the several county,
public buildings and schoolhouses, including fur-
niture, land, etc., is as follows:
County S2.000.00*
Public Buildings 6,534,364
Schoolhouses 7,996,500
Total $16,530,864
Sent down.
PERMIT FOR STEAM ENGINE.
Alderman McLean submitted a report from the
Committee on Steam Engines in favor of granting
a permit to B. F. Sturtevant to locate aud use a
steam engine in rear of Green street, Ward 23.
Accepted.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Harris.
42
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 7, 1878.
Regular meeting at 7V 2 o'clock, P. M., Benjamin
Pope. President, in the chair.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM TI1E BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Petitions were received in concurrence.
Reports of Overseers of Poor and Superintend-
ent of Public Buildings placed on tile.
Report, inexpedient to print another edition of
Army and Navy .Monument Memorial. Accepted
in concurrence.
Report, inexpedient to abolish the office of
Second Assistant Assessor. Accepted in concur-
rence.
Report and order to take land at Old Harbor
Point for purposes of a pumping station on line of
the great sewer. (City Doc. No. 17.) Order read
twice and passed in concurrence.
SECOND ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
An order came down to the Committee on
Ordinances to consider the expediency of pro-
viding by ordinance tint the Second Assistant
Assessors shall be appointed by the Principal
-ors.
The order was read a second time and the ques-
tion was upon its passage.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2—1 fail to see what im-
provement it would be to place this matter in the
hands of the Principal Assessors. A joint com-
mittee of eight members of the City Council is
quite as competent to make that selection as the
Hoard of Principal Assessors, which consists
of five members. The committee have an
opportunity to hear from the several can-
didates through the representatives in the Coun-
cil from the different wards, and they have a much
better chance to investigate the character of the
men than the Assessors have. Then another
thing. I think it is giving undue power to the
heads Of departments, who now have quite enough
to do for the services for which the; receive
liberal salaries. We have reason to believe— at
least I have— that the office of Second Assistant
Assessor would fall into the bauds of favor-
ites of the principal Assessors; while the present
system gives a fair chance tor the representa-
tives ot the people to elect the best men.
Good men are put forward as a general thing,
and as a general thing the members of the Coun-
cil indorse the petition ot those who get the
nomination; and I think no member of this City
Council would indorse any man unless lie is com-
petent and worthy. I trust this order will not
prevail, as I see no benefit to be derived from the
change.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— This is not a question
of passing or changing the ordinance, but of
having a committee consider the expediency of it
and making a report. I hope we shall act, so far
as letting the committee consider it and report
as to their opinion alier making the examina-
tion. I have no decided opinions upon the
ject myself, but 1 know there are strong-
reasons why it mav be supposed we might get
better Second A ssistant Assessors than by the
present Bystem. The present method don't
work very well; it is rather a matter ol dividing it
up into different wards, and. practically, we get a
great many very poor second assistant assessors
under the prf sent system. I believe that it is ad-
mitted on all hands that under the present system
we get very poor officers, and if there is any way
we can improve upon it, it seems to me we ought
to try to do it, and it is oesirabie that a committee
should consider and report upon the question.
Mr. Burke— The gentleman says that by the
present system we get very poor Second Assistant
Assessors. Perhaps we don't get the very best
men, and perhaps in many other positions we
don't get the best men that we can have; but I
would like some gentleman to point out to me by
what means w r e are going to get better men by
placing the appointment in the hands of the Prin-
cipal Assessors. They have not the sources of
iniormation that the members of the City Coun-
cil have, because, as I said before, some
member of this Council recommends a man to a
committee and indorses his nomination, and 1
take it for granted that no member ot the Council
would recommend a man unless he is tit for the
position. Besides that, this is a step toward the
centralization of government, which ought to be
defeated in any government. It has already
worked mischief in this City Government and in
other cities where it has been adopted.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24— [believe with the gen-
tleman from Ward 9 that this is only to consider
the expediency, and I hope it will pass. The gen-
tleman from Ward 2 seems to think that we will
get better men for Second Assistant Assessors by
the present system. I don't know how it is else-
where, and can only speak for my own ward. I
come in here to vote for names brought in by a com-
mittee, and I don't know whether they express the
wish of the wards or not. In the case of our own
ward, we had a man thrust upon us last year to
whom seven-eighths ot the ward were opposed,
and it may possibly have been owing to misrepre-
sentation to the committee who nominated him,
1 hope* the order will pass.
The order was passed in concurrence.
CONTRACTS INVOLVING THE EMPLOYMENT OB
LABOR.
An order came down for the Committee on Or-
dinances to consider the expediency of repealing
the ordinance concerning contracts involving the
employment of laborers.
The order was read twice and put upon its pas-
sage.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2— As some of the Commit-
tee on Ordinances are present, this is another
question I should like some information upon be-
fore voting upon it. When the City Council took
action in this matter, it was for the protection of
laboring men in this city. If this ordinance is
to be repealed to carry out the views
of members of the other Board, I shall
vote against it; but if there is a chance
to amend it and make it more perfect and protect
the working men I shall vote for it. The question
raised in the Board was that the city shouldn't
take any steps to protect individuals. I think it
should, for in protecting individuals it protects
itself. Very often we give contracts to parties
living out of the city and after receiving
large sums they take their last month's payment
out of the city and leave the men unpaid ; and un-
less the laborers have some such security as this
ordinance offers, the city suffers by her citizens
losing money. I trust the committee will trv to
make the city more secure by protecting the labor-
ing men of the city.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— As a member of the
Com'mittee on Ordinances which reported this
ordinance, I do uot believe there is any occasion
for repealing it. I believe it has worked well, and
the only reason for repealing it at the pres-
ent time is because certain contractors, who
have n't paid their laborers, can't get their
money. It ie because the ordinance is
doing just what it was intended to
do, that certain contractors who find that they
cannot get their money when their laborers have
not been paid, want to get the ordinance out of
the way. Still, if anybody wants the Committee
on Ordinances to consider the expediency of re-
pealing it, I do not object. I don't propose to
vote either in favor ol or against its being
referred to the Committee on Ordinances;
I am indifferent upon the subject, and if anybody
wants it referred to the committee I am willing
to have them consider it. But I wish to say that
I have watched the workings of the ordinance,
and have no reason to believe that it has worked
otherwise than for good.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 would like to have
the gentleman from Ward 9 tell how it benefits
the laborer. This proposition to repeal the ordi-
nance arises from the tact that it has been tried
in the department of improved sewerage; a claim
has been filed against one of your own con-
tractors, the money has been withheld under
this ordinance, and the laborers cannot get it.
If the gemleinan will show how those men can
get their money and the laborers their pay, he
will do the committee a great service. Neither
the City Solicitor nor the counsel tor the laborers
can tell how to get the money for the laborers.
Mr. Crocker— I don't know that the Council
wants any discussion at the present time, but per-
haps I can state the points at present. This or-
dinance provides that if the contractor does not
pay his laborers, the city may refuse to pay Aim,
and it provides that a provision to that effect
shall be put into every contract. So far as
PE B R IT A R, Y 7 , 18 7 8
43
I can learn, this ordinance has worked well
in a great many cases, and lias been the
means of securing tbe pay of the laborers,
they having given notice that they haven't
got their money, and the contractors hav-
ing been compelled to settle with them be-
fore getting their money from the city. It
turns out that one contractor employed a sub-
contractor, who did n't pay his laborers, though
he got his pay from the contractor. The con-
tractor did n't look out to see that the sub-con-
tractor paid his men, and now he finds that he
cannot get his money from the city. To be sure,
the city cannot pay the laborers, the money can-
not come out of the city treasury until the con-
tractor comes to some settlement with the
laborers. But in this case, even if the ordinance
should not be entirely effectual, and
should give the laborers only a part of their
money, it will make contractors in the future see
that their sub-contractors pay the laborers before
the sub-contractors are paid. It will be a warn-
ing to all contractors that„if the men employed by
their sub-contractors don't get their pay, they
wont get their money from the city. If the City
Council stands firm and says the rule shall be car-
ried out, that the contractor shall not get
his money unless the laborers are paid, then the
contractor will look out carefully to see that the
laborers are paid, and then the laborers
will get their money in due order. The
repeal of this ordinance will put the
thing back in the condition it was before, when
the laborers were cheated out of their money;
when the assignee of the contractor came to the
city authorities and said, "The work is done, and
we'want the money; the laborers are not paid,
but we can't help it, and it is none of our busi-
ness, and they may whistle for their money."
That is what it was intended to stop, and I believe
it has worked to that end.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— The gentleman from
Ward 9 virtually admits that it has failed when
put to the test. If he can show any way for the
men to get the money I should be glad to have
him do so. We want the laborers to get their
money. I would ask if that money cannot be
trusteed in any form?
Mr. Crocker— The money cannot be trusteed as
the money of the contractor, if it could be, it
would have been long ago. As to admitting
its failure, I utterly deny that it has failed, be-
cause it has worked well in all cases, and in
this particular case it has done just what
it was intended to do, and all that we
can make any ordinance do. Because this
money cannot be put into the hands of
the laborer is no evidence that the ordi-
nance has failed; and if it can beamend-
ed, to accomplish that, I shall be glad to
have it. It may be possible to have it improved.
The ordinance has done all it can do. It was in-
tended to stop the money from going into the
hands of the contractor before the laborers were
paid. It was not intended to pay the money into
the hands of the laborers, because that would in-
volve too much labor and detail ; but it was in-
tended to make the contractor look out for the
laborers. It has been entirely effectual in most
cases, and in this one the screw is on pretty
tight, and if the city holds on firmly, the laborers
will get their money.
Mr. Sampson— This proposition does not come
from tlie contractor; the contractor knew nothing
about it.
Mr. Danforth of Ward 10— I understand that
this ordinance has worked perfectly except in this
one case, in which the contractor employed a sub-
contractor, and the money was trusteed for an-
other debt; consequently the laborers have no
claim upon that money. If the contractor had
hired the laborers, it would have worked well in
this case ; and it would have done so if the money
had n't been trusteed on an outside case. I think
the ordinance might be amended.
Mr. Mowryof Ward 11— It seems to me that this
order, like its predecessor, is merely to consider
the expediency of repealing this ordinance. I see
no harm in letting it go to the committee, and at
any rate I am in favor of that.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— It seems to me that
rather than thinking that the ordinance has
failed, the original contractor has made a mis-
take. It has worked very well in many cases, and
I don't know but it will in this case. The con-
tractor let certain work to the sub-contractors,
who, instead of paying the men, put the money
into their pockets and went away. It seems to
me the contractors ought to have looked out and
see that the men got their money. We ought to
protect those men, and I believe this ordi-
nance is protecting those laborers today. The
contractor ought to know the sub-contractors
and see that they pay the men, and if
we hold on to the money it seems to me the men
will be paid. I have a petition here which I will
present by and by, asking that something be done
for these very men, though I don't know what
can be done for them. They have worked hard
and have no money now for their labor; and if we
hold en to the money, by and by the contractor
will settle with them, and get a release so as to
draw the rest of the money.
Mr. Crocker— I merely wish to repeat what I
said before, that I don't object to this being re-
ferred to the committee. I should n't have said
anything about it unless requested by the gen-
tleman from Ward 2.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I agree with the
evident object of this ordinance, if it is possible
to assist the poor laboring men who are employed
upon city work in getting their pay. But in every
case where an occasion has arisen for the use of
this ordinance it has failed, though perhaps the
peculiar features of it have not been brought
before the public so prominently as in this case.
As I say, the object of it is well enough, and, as
one of the committee to whom it is to be referred,
I shall take great interest in protecting the laborers,
of the city. But this ordinance does n't do it. It
gives rise to a great many complications. For in-
stance, a case arose last summer which I happened
to be in. The contractor said he had paid certain
men; they said he had n't, and gave notice to the
city. In such cases the work must be stopped or
the city has got to come in and determine who is
right and who is wrong. Now in this case the
laborers gave notice and requested that the
amount of their wages be left in the hands of the
city — that is, the Committee on Improved Sewer-
age; then some one else came up and trus-
teed it. The money is trusteed, and a.
case occurred last summer, when it was
trusteed, and that ties it up for five oi six months,
as the Committee on Improved Sewerage cannot
pay it until the trustee is taken off, not if I have
anything to do with it. In every case it has pro-
duced confusion and complication, and involved
the city in disputes between contractors and la-
borers. I beg the indulgence of the Council while
I read that ordinance to show how poorly and
bunglingly expressed it is. It providesthat
"In every contract entered into on behalf of the
city and involving the employment of mechanics
or laborers by the contractor, a provision shall
be inserted to the effect that the committee,
board or other authority making such contract
may, if it deems it expedient to do so, retain out
of any amounts due to such contractor sums suf-
ficient to cover any unpaid claims of mechanics
or laborers for work or labor performed under
such contrect; provided, that notice in writing of
such claims, signed by the claimants, shall have
been previously filed in the office of the City
Clerk."
Now that means it shall be inserted in the con-
tract, provided that the laborers working under
that contract a year after it was made shall re-
quest that it shall be inserted. Possibly that is
not what the gentlemau who drew the ordinance
intended, but it is what ninety-nine in a hundred
of the best lawyers who have read it say. If the
ordinance is to remain, it ought to go to the Com-
mittee on Ordinances to be amended so as to car-
ry out the ideas of the makers of it; but
at present it leads only to complications. The
Committee on Improved Sewerage are involved in a
series of complications now, and as the ordinance
now stands I think it tends to make confusion
worse confounded. There is a way, if you will al-
low me to suggest one. When a contractor takes
a bond from the city he should give a bond to the
city of Boston that all his contracts made in pur-
suance of this contracts shall be fulfilled, which,
of course, includes the payment of the laborers.
It should be seen to that that bond is
signed by responsible persons, who will see
that the contractor complies with it. There
are now officers who give bond, and if
they don't perform their duties, any person may
sue the bond. Constables' bonds are instances
of the case in point. I don't think the Commit-
tee on Ordinances will do anything to deprive
the honest laborer of the wages he earns. 1 am
not sure but this is faulty and ought to be correct-
ed, and I think it can be. I hope it will go to the
44
COMMON COUNCIL
Committee on Ordinances to see that it shall he
amended. I would not have taken so much time
had I not had a little practical experience and :i
little insight into this ordinance. I think the
gentleman is mistaken in saying that it has
worked well in every case except this.
Mr. Thompson of Ward !i— Did" I understand the
gentleman to say that this proviso applies to the
first section ?
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— Yes, sir.
Mr. Thompson— And that many lawyers place
that construction upon it'.'
Mr. Richardson— Yes. many.
Mr. Thompson— I don't see where they get any
authority for placing such a construction upon it.
Mr. Crocker — I am responsible for the form
of this ordinance, and propose to back it up. In
regard to the action upon a bond, which the gen-
tleman proposes, suppose the laborers are not
paid?
Mr. Richardson— Let them bring a suit in the
name of the city. Wheu a constable's bond is
sued, the suit is brought in the name of the city.
Mr. Crocker— That is under a special statute.
Mr. Richardson— And it is proposed to make a
special ordinance for this special purpose.
Mr. Crocker— If the city brings an action upon
the bond, it can only ret-over the amount of
damage that it has suffered by a breach of
the bond. But could it be said that the city has
suffered bv the non-payment of these laborers?
What damage has the city suffered? It has suf-
fered nothing. The question of a bond was con-
sidered when this thing was up before, and that
was proposed as a remedy, but it was found that
it could n't be made to work.
Mr. Richardson— The city never tried it.
Mr. Crocker— I have no doubt it does cause
some trouble to city officials, but I think they can
take some trouble to save the city. If the labor-
ers do not get their pay, they come upon the city
as paupers, and it is dollars and cents in the city
treasury to look out for them. I asked the City
Clerk aruonth ago, and he spoke of it as a very
good ordinance, that it had worked a great deal
of benefit, and he did n't mention any trouble.
He said a great many notices had been filed with
him, and thought they had been the means of
securing the laborers their pay when they might
have not rceeived it otherwise. I think he would
be likely to be troubled as much as anybody. I
have no doubt that some parties have brought a
trustee process and found it would n't hold. Of
course a man may bring an unfounded action; we
cannot stop that.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19—1 understand that in
this case the contractor gave a bond to the city
which was satisfactory ; but he let the work to a
sub-contractor, who hired the men and has n't
paid them. If I understand the law correctly,
the men have no security correctly for their mon-
ey from the sub contractor. The contractor not
owing the laborers, of course they cannot sue him
or his bond. I understood the gentleman from
Ward 9 to say that the men could get a percent-
age of their claims, and I understood the same
thing in the Board last Monday. I should like to
know how they are going to get a percentage of
their claims. If they sell them for a certain per-
centage, whv cannot they get the whole?
Mr. Burke" of Ward 2— "it appears from remarks
that gentlemen favor protecting the workin<:
classes of the city. The gentleman from Ward 17
speaks of sending to the committee to be amend-
ed; but this is for its repeal. There are gentle-
men here competent to amend it, and in order
to give them time to present an amendment I
move that it be specially assigned to S\'. z o'clock
next Thuisday evening.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 said it was only to con-
sider and report, and it was evident the chairman
opposed the repeal.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 said it was farthest
from his intention to weaken the interests of the
laboring men, and he took a great interest in
strengthening it.
The motion to assign was lost, and the order
was passed in concurrence.
ELECTIONS.
Certificates came down of the elections of cer-
tain city officers nominated at the last meeting.
They were placed on file and elections were or-
dered;in the regular order, with the following re-
sults :
CUy Messenget. Committee— Messrs. Samp-
son of Ward 17, Ward of Ward 21, Sawyer of
Ward 24. Alvah H. Peters had sixty-nine votes,
the whole number cast, and he was declared
elected in concurrence.
chrk of Committees. Committee — Messrs.
Brown of Ward 2:i. Brintnall of Ward 6, and Wool-
ley of Ward 1. William H. Lee had 65 ballots, the
whole number cast, and he was declared elected
in concurrence.
City Architect. Committee— Messrs. Spenceley
of Ward 19, Wilson of Ward 20, and Lauten of
Ward 14. (George A. Clough received 61 ballots,
John A. Smardon 2, Bateman 1, and Mr. Clough
was declared elected in concurrence.
Assesors. Mr. Xason of Ward 17 moved to post-
pone the election for one week, as he and others
desired time to investigate the comparative merits
of Messrs. Duncklee and Robinsou,who were on
opposition tickets.
Mr. McGaragle and others objected, and the
Council refused to postpone, and the election was
ordered.
Committee — Messrs. Richardson of Ward 11,
Hill of Ward 14, and Kendricken of Ward 20.
Whole number of ballots 69
Necessary for a choice 35
Thomas Hills 67
Benjamin ("ushiiiR 68
Benjamin F. Palmer 68
Edward F. Robinson 63
Joshuas. Duncklee 49
Horace Smith 23
And Messrs. Hills, Cusbing, Palmer, Robinson
and Duncklee were declared elected in concur-
rence.
Commissioner on Cedar drove Cemetery. Com-
miittee— Messrs. Pierce of Ward 24, Burke of
Ward 2, and Rust of Ward 10. William Pope had
58 ballots, and Edwin Sibley 1, and Mr. Pope was
declared elected in concurrence.
City Engineer. Committee — Messrs. Richard-
son of Ward 10, I'cinald of Ward 15 and Howland
of Ward 5. Joseph P. Davis had 60 ballots, and
Robert M. Thompson 1, and Mr. Davis was de-
clared elected in concurrence.
City Surveyor. Committee — Messrs. McGaragle
of Ward 8, Barry of Ward 8, and Plimpton of
Ward 21. Thomas W. Davis received 58 ballots,
and he was declared elected in concurrence.
City Registrar. Committee— Messrs. Thorndike
of Ward 2, Hibbard of Ward 17, and Devlin of
Ward 13. N. A. Apollonio had 54 ballots ;
Webster F. Warren, H. W. Man 1, and Geoige
A. Sbaw 1, and Mr. Apollonio was declared
elected in concurrence.
Vi'il Solicitor. Committee— Messrs. Crocker of
Ward 9, Taylor of Ward 16, and Brintnall of Ward
3. John P. Healey had 51 ballots, George A. Shaw
4. Halsy J. Boardman 1, John A. Smardon i, A.
Samuel Brown 1, J. Lewis Stackpole 1, George A.
Sennoth 1, Paul West 1, Frederick <). Prince 1,
and Mr. Healy was declared elected in concur-
rence.
Superintendent of Public Buildings. Commit-
tee— Messrs. Wolcott of Ward 11, Clapp of Ward
14, and McDonald of Ward 12. .lames C. Tucker
had 52 votes, John Kelley 1, A. Samuel Brown 1, P.
F. McGaragle 1, E. W. James 1, Nathaniel Adams
1, George W. Pope 1, Abbey W. May 1, and Mr.
Tucker was declared elected in concurrence.
Superintendent of Sewers. Committee— Messrs.
Thompson of Ward 9, Webster of Ward:;, and
Wilson of Ward 20. William H. Bradley had 42
votes, Lucia M. Peabody 2, Simeon B. Smith 2,
M. F. Wells 1, Stephen Connolly 1, J. A. Smardon
1, Samuel L. Miuot 1, George A. Shaw 1, George
H. Yibbertl, Eugene H. Sampson 3, Alfred S.
Brown 1, John Taylor 1, and Mr. Bradley was
declared elected in concurrence.
Superintendent of Public Lands. Committee-
Messrs. Pearl of Ward 1, Mullen of Ward 13, and
Roach of Ward 7. Robert W. Hall had 30 votes,
Oscar Hosmer 5, George A. Shaw 1, Horace Smith
1, James F. McCluskey 1, W. J. R. Evans 1, Isaac
P. Clarke 1, S. Edward Shaw 1, F. O. Prince 1,
Samuel C. Cobb 1, Isaac Rosnosky 1, H. AY. Saw-
yer 1, and Mr. Hall was declared elected in con-
currence.
Water Registrar. Committee— Messrs. Perham
of Ward 23, Ham of Ward 8, and Whicher of
Ward 20. William F. Davis received 36 votes,
John Good 1, Wendell Phillips 1, Horace Smith 1,
5. P. Hibbardy 1, Harvey D. Parker 1, Benjamin
F. Butler 1, Sultan of Turkey 1. and .i votes tor in-
eligible persons, and Mr. Davis was declared
elected in concurrence.
A PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr. Spencelev of Ward 9 said that he was cred-
ited in the report of last meeting with presenting
FEBRUARY
1878
45
a remonstrance of Gardner Warren against the
reelection of Charles Harris as Superintendent of
Streets. He never saw the petition and did not
present it. It was handed to the President by
the Clerk, and as the President opened it, he [Mr.
S.] arose and addressed the Ch air to offer another
petition, ana the reporter erroneously supposed
he offered this one.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Order to allow the bill of P. H. Rogers, $8.50,
chargeable to Sewers. Passed. Sent up.
Order to display flags and riug the bells of the
city on Washington's Birthday. Passed— Yeas
5€, nays 0. Sent up.
Order for a transfer of $359.17 from appropri-
ation for Fever Hospital, Gallop's Island, to that
for Quarantine Department. Passed — Yeas 56,
nays 0. Sent up.
Order for a transfer from Reserved Fund to
appropriation for Sewers, of the sum of $9000.
Passed in concurrence— Yeas 56, nays 0.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS.
Auditor of Accounts. Exhibit for Feb. 1st. To-
tal appropriations, $15,913,016.70; expended, $12,-
041,991.96; balance unexpended, $3,871,024.74. Sent
up.
City Registrar. Abstract of annual report for
1877. Marriage certificates issued, 3348; deaths,
7284; births, 10,480. Sent up.
PETITION FOR AID BY LABORERS.
By Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— Petition of H. W.
Brown et al., asking for an appropriation for the
labor rs who worked on the South Boston sewer,
and whose wages weie left unpaid by Stephen
Connelly & Co., or for such other equitable action
as may be deemed advisable. They claim that if
there is a defect in the ordinance relating to con-
tracts involving the employment of labor, they
should not be made to suffer thereby.
Mr. Spenceley moved to refer to Committee on
Improved Sewerage.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 said it was in conse-
quence of a flaw in the ordinance and the Council
see the necessity tor a change. He moved to refer
to Committee on Ordinances.
Mr. Crocker said the petition said "if there is a
defect in the ordinance," but did not say it was
because of a defect.
Mr. Spenceley said it was handed to him to
present," but he did not know what could be done.
If the committee can see any way of paying the
money he hoped the men would receive it.
Mr. Thompson thought it should go to the Com-
mittee on Claims, and he so moved.
Mr. McGaragle thought the Improved Sewerage
Committee the proper reference.
Mr. Sampson said that committee already un-
derstood the whole case.
Mr. Spenceley said the laborers had probably
learned from Mr. Sampson of the defect in the
ordinance.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 said it was not a
claim against the city, and it could not be enter-
tained by that committee.
The motions to refer to Committees on Claims
and Ordinances were lost, and the petition was
referred to Committee on Improved Sewerage.
Sent up.
EAST BOSTON FERRIES.
Mr. Pearl of Ward 1 presented a request from
the Board of Directors of East Boston Ferries for
authority to contract for the necessary fuel to be
used in the department under their charge during
the next financial year; the expense to be paid
from the appropriation to be made for East Bos-
ton Ferries for the financial year 1878-79. Re-
ferred, on motion of Mr. Pearl, to the Committee
on the Ferries. Sent up.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17 presented a request
from the Directors of East Boston Eerries for au-
thority to contract for a new ferry boat at a cost
not to exceed $45,000, and also for authority to
sell at auction or private sale, at such time as
they think best, the ferry-boat General Grant, the
proceeds to be paid to. the City Collector. Re-
ferred to Committee on Ferries.
MILL POND FLATS.
Mr. Sibley presented the following:
To the Honorable the City Council of Boston :
Geatlemen— The Board of Health, to whom was
referred the order relative to the Mill Pond flats
under date of Feb. 4, instant, respectfully report
that for a year or two, perhaps more, the place
mentioned has been in a state of nuisance, preju-
dicial to the public health, and a number of com-
plaints have been made to this board about it.
A petition for relief was presented to the City
Council last summer by citizens of the Charles-
town District, and a hearing thereon had by the
Committee on Health in July last, which resulted-
in the accompaning Resolve, communicated to
this board Oct. 8, following:
"City of Boston, Oct. 8, 1877, )
In Board of Aldermen. J
Resolved, That in the obinion of the City Coun-
cil, the Board of Health should take immediate
measures to abate the nuisance created by the
Mill Pond and adjoining flats in the Charlestown
District.
Passed in Common Council. Came up for con-
currence; read and concurred.
Approved by the Mayor Oct. 9, 1877."
Time was necessary to determine upon the best
method of abating the nuisance, to take sound-
ings, obtain plans, estimates, etc. ; and it became
impracticable, owing to the lateness of the season,
to extend the Canal-street sewer below the line of
filling, if filled.
The owners of the territory, so far as we know,
are the Eastern Railroad, Prentiss and Horace
Sargent, the Boston & Maine Railroad and the
Commonwealth.
If the city is to till, provision should be made for
indemnity.
The Harbor Commissioners claim compensation
for displacement of tide water. We deny their
right to it.
The act asked for is to give the city a lien upon
the territory filled for the expense of abating the
nuisance; and, that there may be no dispute here-
after, to exempt the city, her agents, servants and
all who do the filling, from payment tor tide-
water displacement.
Respectfully submitted,
S. H. Durgin, Chairman.
The report was accepted and sent up, and the
question came on ordering to a second reading
the order to petition the Legislature for an act
authorizing the city to abate the nuisance, the
city to have a lien on the land filled.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11— I move that it be spe-
cially assigned to next Thursday, at 8.30 P. M.,
and that the Board of Health give us an estimate
of the expense.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3— The only reason for ap-
parently hurrying this matter is that the 22d
inst. is the last day for presenting petitions to the
Legislature without a four-fifths vote ; otherwise
we would let it remain three months it necessary.
This order was considered last year: the Commit-
tee on Health had a large hearing, the result of
which was the committee reported the following:
The Joint Committee on Health, to whom was
referred the petition of S. D. Sawin & Co., that
Prison Point flats be filled up, submit the tclluw-
ing report :
Your committee, from a careful examination of
the locality and the testimony of many residents
of different sections in the Charlestown District,
find that a great nuisance exists on the premises
referred to in the petition, and consider the same
dangerous to public health; and whatever may
be the cost of abating this nuisance, it should not
be suffered to continue there another summer,
and they would earnestly recommend the passage
of the following order:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the City Coun-
cil, the Board of Health should take immediate
measures to abate the nuisance created by the
Mil) Pond Flats and adjoining flats in the Charles-
town District.
The Board of Health have notified the parties
that this nuisance exists, and stated to us a short
time ago that they intend to proceed upon this
work. Another object of this is to secure the city
against any possible expense. No one wants to
put a cent into the hands of a corporation or take
any land, or anything of that kind. But the
Board of Health deem this act necessary. It orig-
inated in their office, and was offered by a mem-
ber of the Committee on Health in the "Board of
Aldermen; and, if I understand it, the Board and
Committee on Health desire it to nass. The only
question is the displacement of tide-water, for
which the Harbor Commissioners claim $270,000.
The Board of Health say they can have no such
claim; at all events, it is a bugbear in the way .
and until it is settled by an act of the Legislature
giving us this power, neither the owners or the
Board of Health will be justified in going ahead on
this matter at so great an expense. It is to do just
4(>
COMMON COUNCIL.
enough to abate the nuisance, and it is a matter
upon which figures can hardly he given in so short
a time. It is the opinion that the large quantity
of ashes near there should he dumped into the
worst place there, and if private parties do not go
ahead, as they say they will, the Board will it it is
necessary. The only object ol the act is to get
the displacement ot tide water out of the way. A
week's delay will cause a great waste of time.
iMr. MeGaragle of Ward 8 -1 can see reasons for
the assignment, on account of this displacement
ot tide water. If it is a nuisance the Board of
Health can make them till it up; hut before we go
to the Legislature we ought to know what the ex-
pense is.
.Mr. Sibley of Waul 5— If we get a lieu upon this
land, I don't know how one dollar can be spent on
the land unless we vote the money: and I think it
is worth trying for. Any one who has been there
can see it is a nuisance, lor which the city is in a
measure accountable on account of emptying a
sewer there. In 1872 I learned that Charlestown
had the right to fill that laud, and the city of Bos-
ton has the same right. Everything has been
done by the Board of Health that can be, and I
hope this order will pass as they have requested.
Mr. Thompson of Ward '.)— The Harbor Commis-
sion was established in the interest of the har-
bor of Boston, and does not exact any compensa-
tion for the displacement of tide water except
in the interest* of the harbor of Boston. If
corporations have land they do not desire to fill
up, and it they can get an act for displacing the
tidewater free of cost to them, and if 'the land is
rilled the corporations will step in and take it
back. It has got to be made up in some way, and
then if the State pays for it the city will do so
largely.
Mr. Sibley— The lawyers do not agree in regard
to the question whether the commissioners can
exact compensation if the Board of Health de-
clare it a nuisance. They demanded compensa-
tion for displacement of tidewater in one place
and were notified to try it on, but have never
done so. The Board of Health say their decision
is fiual.
Mr. Thompson— 1 say the corporations are
willing to have the question tested by using the
city as a cat's paw to prevent them from running
that risk. I con't know anything about the
merits ot the question. I think the motion a fail-
one, as there will be time.
Mr. Webster— A week ago members wanted
more time and it was referred to the Board of
Health, who reported pretty satisfactorily. The
board take the ground that where there is a great
nuisance they can order it abated and the Harbor
Commissioners cannot have a claim for dis-
placement; and that is backed up by
good legal authority. But in order that a
matter of that kind may not hang over, it is
desired to settle the question by obtaining this
act. If anybody opposes it it is the corporations,
who have valuable property which they will want
to use. If anybody thinks there is not* a nuisance
there they differ from the Board of Health and
the committees of last and this year. If they
would go over and take a smell they would be
convinced.
Mr. Mowry— 1 merely asked delay that it might
be considered. It will inevitably involve the city
in a large amount. The Board has given us no
approximate estimate of the expense, and a week's
delay will not prevent its being presented to the
Legislature.
The subject was specially assigned to the next
meeting at 8.30 1*. M.
Subsequently Mr. Mowry offered an order —
That the Board of Health furnish an estimate of
the expense attending the filling of the Charles-
town Hats.
At the suggestion of Mr. Webster, .Mr. Mowry
amended the order so as to read "the cost ot
abating the nuisance on" the Charlestown flats.
The order was passed. Sent up.
NOMINATION.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 submitted a report from
the Nominating Committee on Superintendent of
Public Grounds, recommending the reelection of
John Galvin. Councilman Mullane dissents from
the foregoing and recommends the election of
William Doogue. Accepted. Sent up.
In connection with the above Mr. Sampson of
Ward 17 presented the following:
The undersigned, horticulturists and florists of
Boston and its vicinity, learning that Mr. William
Doogue is a candidate for the position of City For-
ester, hereby testify that they have known Mr.
Doogue many years as a first-class gardener and
florist, and they believe that, as City Forester, he
would reflect the highest credit on the office and
subserve the best interests of the city. Signed,
('. M. Hovey, Marshall P. Wilder, Mintou Broth-
ers, Alexander Greenlaw, Henry F. Thayer, and
twenty-six others.
Sent up.
B M IB r.AN I'ARK,
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, submitted a report
from the Finance Committee on an order authoriz-
ing the Park Commissioners to spend $.'5,000 in
improving the Back Bay Park, with the order
granting the request, iu a new draft:
Ordered, That the Park Commissioners be and
they hereby are authorized to expend the sum of
$26,000 in filling, grading, surveying and laying
out the Back Bay Park, so-called, and that the
Auditor of Accounts he and he hereby is author-
ized to transfer from the Reserved Fund to the
appropriation tor Public Park, Back Bay, the
sum of $25,000, to be expended for the special pur-
poses designated in this order.
On motion of Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 the rule
was suspended, and the order read a second time
and passed— yeas 57, nays 0. Sent up.
MORE LAND FOB BACK HAY l'ARK.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 submitted the follow-
ing:
The Joint Special Committee on Public Parks, to
whom was referred the third annual report of the
I'ark Commissioners, beg leave to report that they
have considered the request of the commissioners
for authority to purchase additional land for the
Back Bay Park, and are of the opinion that
the authority should be granted. This addi-
tional land is required for the Longwood en-
trance to the park, and for continuing the Bea-
con-street entrance to Charles River, and a glance
at the plan will show that the appearance of the
park and the facilities for entrance thereto will
be greatly improved by the acquisition. The com-
mittee would respectfully recommend the passage
of the accompanying order:
Ordered, That the Park Commissioners be and
they are hereby authorized to purchase two and
815-1000 acres of land comprised in a part of
the Longwood entrance to the Back Bay Park,
for the sum of not exceeding §13,000, and that
they be also authorized to purchase, at a cost not
exceeding ten cents per square foot, such land as
may be required to continue the Beacon entrance
of the Back Bay Park to Charles River, provided
that the total cost thereof does not exceed the
sum of $3000.
Referred, on motion of Mr. Thompson, to the
Finance Committee. Sent up.
SALARY OF < LKKK OV PASE COMMISSIONERS,
The Joint Special Committee on Parks, to whom
was referred the communication from the Park
Commissioners in relation to the salary of their
clerk, having considered the subject, beg leave
to submit the following report-
The Committee of the City Council of 1(577 on the
Retrenchment of Municipal Expenses, in their
report, recommended that the salary of the clerk
of the Board of ParK Commissioners be fixed at
the rate of ten hundred and fitty dollars per an-
num. In the City Council Minutes, page 01, this
amount was erroneously printed "eleven hundred
and fifty dollars," and the Park Commissioners
being misled thereby, voted to fix the salary of
their clerk at the rate which they supposed had
been recommended by the committee. The salary
has been paid at this rate until recently, when the
error was discovered. As the Park Commission-
ers are authorized by chapter 185 of the acts of
1875, to fix the salaries of their employes, the com-
mittee are of the opinion that the clerk of the
board is entitled to the salary established by the
commissioners, and would, therefore, respectful-
ly recommend the passage of the following order.
For the committee,
Robkrt M. Thompson.
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts be au-
thorized to allow and pay the salary of the clerk
of the Board of Park Commissioners at the rate of
eleven hundred and fifty dollars per annum, from
the first day of April, 1877.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Nason of Ward 17.
47
BOAE.D O^ ALDERMEN
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY 11, 1878.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. HI., Alder-
nianStebbins presiding.
EXECUTIVE API-OINTMENTS.
Special Police Officers without pay— David H.
Deckie, James Skillen. Confirmed.
Superintendent ot Faneuil Hall Market — George
E. McKay. Confirmed.
Registrar of Voters— Linus E- Pearson. Con-
firmed.
Inspector of Milk— Henry Faxon. Confirmed.
Superintendent of Wagons and Trucks— Timo-
thy R. Page, Confirmed.
Superintendent of Hacks and Carriages— Rufus
C. Marsh. Continued.
Superintendent of Intelligence Offices— Benja-
min I). Hurley. Confirmed.
Superintendent of Pawnbrokers— William H.
McCausland. Confirmed.
Measurer of Grain— George P. Ray. Confirmed.
Constables— William S. Post, Edward W. Col-
man, C. C. Kendall. Confirmed.
PETITION'S REFERRED.
To the Committee on Public Lands. R. T. Paine,
Jr., et ill., for leave to exchange a lot of land on
Dartmouth street for a lot belonging to the city.
To tin Com -11/1111' mi Police. John Maguire, for
leave to place a lettered lamp in front of 638
Main street, Charlestown.
To the Joint Committee on Ordinances. H. W.
Brown ct al., of Boston Section Socialistic Labor
Party, for the discontinuance of the contract sys-
tem in the public works of this city.
To the (tommittee on Common on the part of
the Board. E. N. Reed, for leave to use tree
box at 75 Harrison avenue for an advertising
medium.
To th" Committee on Nomination of Inspec-
tors ot Lighters. Kartholomew G. Pollard, lor
the office ni Inspector and Weigher of Lighters.
To the Committee on Lamps. Joseph W. Tuck-
er et at., that a lamp be located on Lambert
street, Ward 21; Everett K. Dexter, that Oakville
avenue, from St. James street, Roxbury, be light-
ed; Edward R.Andrews et O.I., that A Street, in
South Boston, be lighted.
To the Committee on Paving. Leonard B.
Hathon ctat., that the name of Main-street court
be (hanged to Hathon square; George H.Rich-
ards et (it., tor the paving of Cambridge street,
Charlestown; Nathan L. Eaton rt al., that the
name of Richmond street, Charlestown, be
changed to Rutherford street; Richard Sullivan
it til -, that a portion of sidewalk on the Peacock
estate on Cambridge street, Charlestown, may be
laid; Metropolitan Railroad Company, for leave
to substitute a double track for their single track
in Boylston street, between Washington street
and Tremont streets: Lawrence D. welby et al.,
th it the wages of laborers in the Paving Depart-
ment be increased; Mary Noonan, for abatement
of edgestone assessment against her estate on
Boylston avenue, Ward 23; William H. Peabody
il'il., that Lamartine street, Ward 23, between
Oak place and Boylston street, be macadamized,
etc.
CAMBRIDGE RAILROAD.
A hearing was had on the petition of the Cam-
bridge Railroad Company for leave to extend
their location through certain streets so as to run
their cars to Summer street.
J. L. Stackpole appeared for the company,
Charles J. Mclntire for the petitioners of Chim-
in idge in aid of the petition of the company, and
E. Worthen James for the remonstrants at the
We-t End against the petition.
Mr. Stackpole opened the case for the petition-
ers, and called upon Mr. Chase, the engineer, to
present the plans ot the proposed location, and
on motion ol Alderman Whidden a recess of five
minutes was taken tor the purpose of examining
them, after which Mr. Chase explained the route.
The places where the distance between the track
and the curb is narrowest are on Merrimac street,
at the Merrimac House, and on Devonshire street,
near State street. He had made measurements on
other streets where the tracks were nearer the
curbstones than at any point on this route. The
distance from Leverett to Summer street is 5050
feet, and from Chardon street to Summer street
is 4502 feet.
Mr. Emery, president of the Union Railway
Company, gave a history of the Cambridge road,
beginning with its charter in 1855, the increase of
the business necessitating the Stopping of the
changing of horses at Bowdotn square and laying
the tracks in Green and Chambers streets: the
road started with ten to twenty cars and fifty
horses; the construction of the Somerville branch
line; the road carried in 1867,21,606 passengers
daily, running 33,900 miles daily, employing 128
cars, 850 hor.-es, 12 stables, and 850 men, and pays
a tax of nearly $20,000 annually. They have bad a
pressure tor increased ac< ommodation, and in
consequence of that they present this petition.
The people who patronize the line for which
this accommodation is asked are about C000,
who daily come in and out of the city. The
bn-iness centre has been removed farther
south from what it formerly was, and pas-
sengers luve much longer distance to waik
to and from Bowdoin square. They do not desire
to take patronage from any other read, but to
accommodate their own patrons. He understood
the Middle-ex and Metropolitan roads do not
object to using their tracks. [To Alderman Guild]
This route would accommodate about 0000 people
daily, averaging 38 l / 2 passengers per trip: the
average dividend has been 7 1 ., to 10 per cent, free
of tax; it is 3' ;! miles from Bowdoin square to
Harvard square, and the single fare is ten cents,
twelve tickets for a dollar; there is no rival road,
and if they bad the same number of passengers
the Metropolitan has, they could do so for the
same fare. [To Alderman Perkins] Do not know
how much tax the road pays to Boston.
[To Mr. James]— Have never issued transfer
tickets, because theie are no people within the
Grand Junction line, for which the act was in-
tended. By an agreement between the Metropoli-
tan Railroad Company and Cambridge road the
former issues a ticket to Boylston street and the
northern depots for *_"._> cents, which has taken the
place of the other ticket.
Mr. James questioned Mr. Emery closely about
the lease of the other toads by the Union, and
Alderman Harris asked if the "examination could
not be confined to the facts in the case.
Mr. James said he wanted to show that they
had leased roads at ten per cent, and taxes, and
didn't accommodate the people, ana Mr. Emery
knows all about it. It the Board don't want to
hear about it. all right.
The Chairman ruled that Mr. James was in
order, and Mr. Emery's examination by Mr. James
was continued.
The roads leased by the Union road are the
Somerville, for six per cent, and taxes; Water-
town, six per cent, and taxes; Cambridge road,
nine per cent, and taxes deducted. Mr. James
was proceeding to question Mr. Emery in regard
to certain matters in regard to legislation, and
was called to order by the Chairman. [To Mr.
Stackpolej— The ten-cent fare carries a passenger
up to near the Arlington line and Mt. Auburn; the
fare in Cambridge is five cents.
Dr. Estes Howe said he was an original director
in the road, and he also gave a resume of the
earl; history thereof in connection with the
progress of other r.ads in Boston and its vicinity.
The early policy of the roads and the City Govern-
ment was to connect the various lines, and the
roads to first introduce the commutation system
were the Cambridge and the old Suffolk, the lat-
ter now merged into the Metropolitan. Other
roads have gained additional locations, and the
Cambridge road has not kept pace with them ; they
had delayed asking for locations because of the
crowded State of the streets, and now they felt they
would be unjust to their own interests if they did
not present and urge this petition. [To Mr.
Guild]- The Union road pays the Cambridge road
nine per cent, and takes out the taxes due the
State, and has to get its own dividend out of what
it can earn after furnishing the equipment. [To
Mr. Stackpole]— People coine in over this road
from Arlington, Somerville, Watertown, and
Brighton ; and the most expensive line to keep up
is that to Brighton, which is run at a daily loss.
[To Mr. James]— They pay to Boston in taxes on
two stables and the stock owned by citizens of
Boston. [I'o the Board]— The streets of Boston
are for the convenience of al) mankind, and not
merely to the taxpayers of Boston.
Mr. "Stackpole introduced Mr. Mclntire, coun-
sel for the petitioners in aid, who said he should
FEBRUARY 11, 1878
48
show what benefit the extension would be to citi-
zens of Soinerville and Cambridge. He read the
titles of the petitions presented for this ex-
tension last year; ' they represent business
firms and corporations and all classes
of people. They had seen the residents of
other suburban localities coming farther and far-
ther into Boston, and still these petitioners were
left at Bowdoin square. The centre of the retail
trade has been removed nearly f our-fifths of a mile
from Bowdoin square, and the extension will not
only be an accommodation to the petitioners, but
be an act of -justice to the merchants ot Boston,
to whom the petitioners pay a very large tribute.
Many of the merchants and manufacturers have
capital invested in Cambridge; the people of
Cambridge and Somerville bring their mouey into
Boston and spend it here in the retail and
wholesale stores. Cambridge and Somer-
ville are farther within the five-mile line than sev-
eral large portions of Boston. They desired to
continue in the same car to Summer street and
save the additional fare and inconvenience caused
by a change under the present system.
Ex-Mayor Brastow of Somerville said the only
interest he had in the petition was in common
with other patrons of the road; they first came to
Haymarket square through Charlestown, and af-
terward to Scollay square, and felt happy; finally
the Cambridge road put in the link and they came
to Bowdoin square. Now, they find themselves
far away from the centre of the retail trade, and
Somerville has its share of mothers, wives and
daughters who spend money in Boston. He
sketched the growth of Somerville from its 6000
inhabitants to its present 20,000, the bulk of whose
capital is taxed in Boston, and where they spend
the bulk of the money. Hardly a house in the
city but was furnished from top to bottom from
Boston stores; and they proposed to build more
houses to be furnished from Boston. He only
wanted an equal chance to get into the city with
other suburban residents. The petition was sign-
ed by the representative men of Somerville.
Mayor Bruce of Somerville said all he could
say was, there is a very general feeling among
the residents of Somerville that they have a
cause for complaint that they are not able to be
carried by the horse cars into the more central
part of the city, and that it would be a great ac-
commodation to the whole people of Somerville if
the petition presented by the railroad company
could be granted. He doubted if there was a
place in the vicinity of Boston of equal popula-
tion where there are so few shops and stores as in
Somerville, and the residents substantially do all
their purchasing in Boston.
Alderman Whidden asked if the system of in-
terchanging tickets, now advocated at the State
House, would not accommodate the petitioners,
and Mr. Emery said he should think not, because
they would have to stop and wait for cars, and
get out from one car into another, and wait for
the arrival of cars as they came along. This
route would not be a paying one.
Ex-Mayor Allen of Cambridge said the desire
was to be brought farther into Boston ; more than
10,000 people ride into Boston daily and go out;
very few stop near Bowdoin square ; women go to
the retail stores, and all will be accommodated by
coming farther into the city. He had conversed
with all classes, and the desire is universal.
George L. Michell, an assessor of Cambridge,
said that one petition of citizens from that city
represented the business men in Ward 3, where
the feeling is universal that they ought to have
the same accommodations that other surround-
ings ot Boston have; and the other petition repre-
sented business men in other parts of that city.
Ex- Mayor Parmenter of Cambridge corrobo-
rated other witnesses as to the desire for the ac-
commodation; and so great was this desire that
many patronize the antediluvian style of travel —
the omnibus— because it takes them farther into
the city.
Judge Sanger wanted for himself and family
and the other citizens of Cambridge as much ac-
commodation at as low rate of fare as possible.
They should not stop at Bowdoin square any more
than residents of Roxbury should stop at Dover
street, or of South Boston at Beach street. The
streets are public highways, and he knew no rea-
son why one section should be deprived of the
privilege of using the highways, while another
was allowed that privilege. Room was found for
the Charlestown cars, and the citizens of Cam-
bridge could be accommodated in the same way.
They wanted to get farther toward the centre of
the city without change ot car and paying an ad-
ditional fare.
I. S. Morse said there had been a full and accu-
rate representation of the feeling of Cambridge
on the subject. The transfer-ticket system does
not accommodate the people, who said that if the
Cambridge road did n't give the required accom-
modation, they would get some other road that
would; and this petition is almost forced upon
the company. This is a question of accommodat-
ing public travel, and Boston cannot object to
whatever helps develop its business and accom-
modates its citizens and visitors. Horse cars ac-
commodate the great public; if the Board connot
allow all the cars to come, let some come in.
Mr. Chaffee explained the commutation-ticket
system for the benefit of Mr. James.
Mr. James said he represented two or
three hurdred peop!e in the city who pay
taxes and do not go to Cambridge to pay
taxes, and they oppose this petition. He claimed
that the Cambridge road agreed in its sixth loca-
tion to issue the commutation tickets. Merri-
mac street is already over-crowded with teams.
Mr. James spoke at some length in a humorous
style against the management of the Union Rail-
road, which he said was the most independent
corporation in the world, and the Metropolitan
were virtuous people compared to it. He did n't
care where they went to, if the Board kept them
out of Merrimac street. He concluded by pre-
senting the remonstrance.
Mr. Stiles, proprietor of the East Cambridge
omnibus line, had the Chairman read a remon-
strance by citizens of East Cambridge against
this locatiou, and called John McSorley, who said
he signed the petition in behalf of the Union road
by the Cambridge City Government last year; but
this petition is merely for East Cambridge; and
this route is proposed so that they will take off
Mr. Stiles's omnibus line. East Cambridge is very
well accommodated, those desiring to go to Sum-
mer street taking the coaches.
Mr. Stiles said the people of East Cambridge are
better accommodated tnan they would be with
the granting of the proposed route. The Board
refused him the right to go through Court street,
and kept him down on a back street, where he
carried a great many passengers. The bulk of
travel want to go through Bowdoin square and
get into Scollay square." They can get to Sum-
mer street ten minutes quicker than by the pro-
posed route. He moved about two thousand
passengers a day, but did n't carry as many
out as he brought in. The Cambridge road
charges ten cents fare in, and 2V> cents more for
a transfer, taking the 2% cents out of the Metro-
politan, making the fare 12*2 cents. People are
not delayed more than a minute at Bowdoin
square to get a car to Summer street. [To Alder-
man Guild] — The fare by omnibus is five cents
from Summer street to East Cambridge; by horse
railroad a single fare is six cents.
In closing the case for the petitioners, Mr.
Stackpole said he would argue the case only from
a Boston point ot view. It they looked at it mere-
ly for the interest of their own taxpayers, the pe-
tition should be granted. The wealth and pros-
perity of Boston are centred in the little peninsu-
la, but the people have been forced out of it into
what is the Boston lor which the Board are to
legislate. The people in the surrounding
cities and towns are as much a part of Boston as
the people on the peninsula, and their interests
are identical ; and the Board should know no dis-
tinction between tuose enrolled within its munici-
pal limits and those who are not. The self-
ish interest of Boston is to draw into
this little peninsula all who want to transact any
business or by the smallest article for household
use and decoration, and to discourage the setting
up of stores in those districts. This can be done
by encouraging easy facilities for communication
between Boston and these towns, and the easi-
est method for cheap and easy communi-
cation is the horse railroad. Take up the
tracks from the streets and a greater "storm
of public indignation would arise from the
people than any other measure has ever
aroused. Every suburban section is provided for
except the ones covered by this petition. The
road do not propose to get more fares, but to give
more facilities for travel. He believed the capi-
tal represented by the Cambridge and Tuion
roads was less per mile than that of the Metro-
politan or Highland. As to opposition, be would
put the 1900 petitioners in aid from the North and
West End against Mr. Jame«'s 300; not an abutter
49
liOARD OF ALDERMEN
appeared against it. .Mr. Staekpole presented
anil called attention to petitions for tbe location
signed by business firms in Boston in the different
branches of business.
On motion of Alderman I'erkins the various pa-
pers were recommitted to the Committee on
Paving.
I'll B OOORT BOCSB.
The following was received and read:
To the Hoar'i of Aldermen of Boston: Gentie-
men— I have the honor to transmit herewith a
.■'II n in i in ic,it.ii in from the Chief .Justice of the Su-
preme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth, call-
ing attention to the insufficiency and inconven-
ience of the present County Court House, and the
obligation resting upon the city to provide suita-
ble accommodations in some other locality.
Mindful of the suggestion made in nay inaugu-
ral addiess, that no new improvements involving
ex iense should be entered upon during the pres-
ent year, unless it is made clear that lurther de-
lay would injuriously affect the city's interests, I
have hesitated about recommending immediate
action upou tbe subject of this communication,
until satisfied from personal examination that the
public interests demanded it.
During the past twenty years variousexpedients
have been resorted to for the purpose of overcom-
ing the disadvantages of the present builoing and
its surroundings, but tbe ingenuity of architects
and builders has been taxed iu vain. A commit-
tee of the Hoard of Aldermen, reporting upon the
subject in 1871, said, "The present condition of
the court accommodations is such that to delay
action longer would be discreditable to the city.
The situation of the present building is conven-
ient, but the difficulties of providing sufficient
room within the limited space tor the transaction
ot all the court business, ami at the same time se-
curing proper ventilation and lreedom from in-
terruption, are insurmountable. There appears
to be no other course, therefore, but to erect a
new building in another locality."
The committee recouimeudeu the taking of the
estates mi Mt. Vernon street, between Temple and
Hancock streets, and the laud adjoining the
same, occupied by the Beacon Hill Reservoir, but
before any action had been taken a communica-
tion was received from the Water Board stating
that the reservoir (the use of which had been dis-
continued for some time) might be required again
in case of emergency to supply the high service in
that section of the city. The subject was then
referred to the next City Council. In his in-
augural address, Jan. 1, 1872, Mayor Gaston said—
••There is an urgent necessity for a new Court
House. The present structure is uufortunately
situated, and is not well adapted to the uses for
which it was designed. It is no credit to the city
or county. The subject of erecting a new build-
ing has been discussed for rive years or more,
and no progress has been made. Each City Coun-
cil has talked about or discussed it mine or less,
and has ilone nothing more. The chief difficulty
has consisted iu the selectioh of a suitable site.
I commend the subject not only to your early at-
tention, but to your early and prompt action. Un-
less vou act immediately you will be in danger of
leaving the subject to your successors, to be taken
up by them not at the point at, which you may
leave it, but at the point at which you may com-
mence the investigation aud inquiry. The de-
mand lor a new building is so urgent and impera-
tive that your action i,if you take any action)
must be very unreasonable if it fail to meet with
my approval."
I'he committee to whom this portion of the
Mayor's address was referred reported in lavor of
the reservoir site, aud stated that "arrangements
had been made with the Mystic Water Board
winch obviated the uecessity of maintaining the
reservoir any longer." The great fire of Nov. 9
occurred soon after this report was submitted,
aud in view of the heavy losses sustained by the
taxpayers it was considered inexpedient to incur
the expense of building the Court House at that
time. No further action was taken upon the sub-
ject until 1874, when Mayor Cobb, iu his inaugural
address, alter referring to the authority which
had been given to the Aldermen in 1867 to take
1 and for the Court House, said —
•'The delay which has occurred in acting upon
the authority thus obtained has been owing to
the difficulty of selecting a site, and not to any
difference of opinion as to the necessity for pro-
viding a new building. The public convenience
requires a central location; and as valuable laud
must be taken for the purpose, further delay will
only serve to increase the expense. As soon as
other accommodations are furnished for the
courts, tbe building in Court square ran be ad-
vantageously connected with the City Hall, and all
the city officers whom it is now necessary to pro-
vide with office room at high rents outside of city
buildings can be accommodated there. As a
measure of economy, therefore, prompt action
upon the question "is urgently demanded. It
should be borne in mind that at least two years
will be required to complete tbe new building
after tbe work is authorized; and in the mean-
time the necessity for additional room will become
more and more pressing."
A committee of the Board ot Aldermen was ap-
pointed to consider the Mayor's' recommendation,
bur the members were unable to agree upon a
site; and from that time until the present no ac-
tion has been taken.
The statements which I have here quoted, and
the representations made in the communication
from Mr. Chief Justice Gray, are such, in my
opinion, as to make it the duty of the present City
Government to take steps immediately toward the
erection of a new Court House. It appears that the
city is now paying for rent of offics outside of
City Hall and tbe Court House.but which property
belong inside of those two buildings, tbe sum ot
$20,850 per annum, an amount equal to the interest
on >j420,000. The steady increase in the busi-
ness of the City Government will necessitate the
hiring of additional offices from time to time, un-
less the City Hall is enlarged or a new Court House
built. The rooms at present occupied by the
Health Department in the basement ot this build-
ing arc damp and unhealthy, and might properly
be complained of by tbe Board of Health on sani-
tary grounds, if occupied by a family. There are
a number of other departments ot tbe Govern-
ment whose accommodations w insufficient and
unsuitable, but tbey are the best that can be fur-
nished, unless a large additional annual expense
is incurred lor outside rents. The initiative in the
selection of a site for a new building belongs un-
der the statute of 1807 to the Board of Aldermen
acting as County Commi-sioners; but I will ven-
ture to make some suggestions which may be of
serwee iu detei mining your actiou.
It appears from what! have already stated that
the reservoir site, so called, at the rear of the
State House would have beeu takeu for the pur-
pose in 1871, had not the Water Board at that time
reported that the reservoir might be needed again
for the maiuteuain e of the high-service supply.
In reply to an inquiry which I addressed to the
Boston Water Board, alter receiving the commu-
nication from the Chief Justice, I am informed
that there is no longer any necessity for maintain-
ing the lesci voir, either lor the purpose of fur-
nishing a supply of water for family use or for
the extinguishment of fires. A copy ot the an-
swer ot the Water Board and an accompanying
statement from the acting engineer are appended.
The land covered by [he reservoir contains .'J8.040
square feet. The estates on Mt. Vernon street,
between Temple aud Hancock streets, contain
24,985 square leet, making the total number of
feel in the square, bounded by Mt. Vernon, Han-
cock, Derue and Temple streets, 03,025. The pres-
ent Court House covers an area of only 12,000
square leet.
Tbe Assessors' valuation of the reservoir lot is
(147,500, and ot the building materials in the reser-
voir S52,500. The valuation ol the seven estates
fronting on Alt. Vernon street, including the build-
ings.is $214,000. From the examinations which have
been made it would seem to be impossible to se-
cure sufficient land in any other locality equally
accessible and equally well adapted for the pur-
poses of a Court House, without paying three or
four times the amount for which this site can be
obtained. The committee of your Board which in-
vestigated the subject in 1871 said—
"The heavy granite blocks of which the reser-
voir is constructed can be worked over and used
to good advantage in building the foundations
and basement story of the Court House. It sold
for removal, this material would be of compara-
tively little value. The distance fiom the City Hall
to the centre of this lot is just a quarter of a mile;
from Pemberton square, by way of Somerset
street and Ashburton place, it is only about 1000
feet. The distance for the conveyance of prison-
ers between the Court House and the Jail would be
reduced nearly one-half. The grade from Cam-
bridge street, through Hancock or Temple street,
to Derne street, is easy. It is only on the wester-
FE BRU AR Y 11
1878
50
ly and northwesterly side of the hill, that the
grade is steep; rrom all other points the place is
accessible and convenient. There is no danger to
be apprehended from the noise of travel in the
surrounding streets. There will be a considera-
ble space between the building and the streets;
and there is no heavy travel, and never likely to
be any, through these streets, as none of them are
regular thoroughfares. The advantages of light
and air are unsurpassed."
As soon as the new Court House is built the
building in Court square can be connected by a
bridge with the rear of the City Hall, and ample
accommodations can be furnished there to meet
all the requirements of the city departments for
office room during the next fifty yeaVs. It would
not only be more economical to provide for all the
city offices in buildings owned by the city, but it
would be greatly for the convenience of the citi-
zens to have all the offices brought under the same
roof, or, what would practicallv amount to the
same thing, located in adjoining buildings. Be-
lieving that the city's interests would be injuri-
ously affected by further delays in providing suit-
able accommodations for the courts and the offices
connected with them, I would respectfully recom-
mend that the communication of the chief justice
receive your early and favorable consideration.
Henry L. Pierce, Mayor.
Boston, Jan. 29, 1878.
Sir— The Justices of the Supreme Judicial
Court, after much deliberation, are constrained
by a sense of their duty to the public to represent
to your Honor that it is more than ten years since
the Legislature passed an act to authorize the
city of Boston to take and hold land for a Court
House for the County of Suffolk, and that nothing
has been done toward exercising the authority
granted by that act.
That the insufficiency and inconvenience of the
present Court House are so well known to all who,
in any capacity, as judges, jurors, counsel, parties
or witnesses, are obliged to attend the courts, that
it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them further
than to say that the constant noise in the surround-
ing square imposes an excessive strain upon
the lungs, the ears and the brain of all
who have to speak or to hear in the court rooms,
and at times makes it almost impossible to under-
stand and appreciate what is said, or properly to
weigh and consider questions, the solution of
which demands the undisturbed application of
the utmost powers of the mind, aud concerns the
most important lights of the citizens.
That in every year more than half of the ses-
sions of the full court and of the sittings in equity,
and a hardly less proportion of the jury trials are
had in the county of Suffolk, and that the exist-
ing Court House, in its present situation, is beyond
all comparison less fit for the purposes to which
it is applied, than of any court house in the Com-
monwealth.
I am with great respect,
Your most obedient servant,
Horace Gray, Chief Justice.
His Honor the Mayor of Boston.
STATEMENT OF RENTS PAID FOE CITY OFFICES.
City Solicitor, 2 Pemberton square $1,700.00
Directors Public Institutions, Registrars of
Voters, Milk Inspector and Truant Offi-
cers, 30 Pemberton square 4,000.00
PaTk Commissioners, N. E. Mutual Life In-
surance Building, Milk street 900.00
Improved Sewerage Engineers. 74 Tremont
street 1,400.00
License Commissioners, 7 Pemberton
square 1,250.00
Total city offices $9,250.00
RENTS PAID FOR COUNTY OFFICES.
Probate Building, Tremont street $9,000.00
Room for jury-waived cases, 39 Court street 2,600.00
Total county offices $1 1,600.00
Total city and county $20,850.00
Value of estates in the square bounded by Mt.
Vernon, Temple, Derne and Hancock streets:
Square. Value Value
Estates. feet. land. build'gs, Total.
Reservoir lot.... 38,040 $147,500 $52,500 $200,000
17 Mt. Vernon St.. .3,618 22,000 13,000 35.000
19 " " ..3,120 14,000 16,000 30.000
21 " " ..2,880 13,000 7,000 20,000
23 " •' ..5,838 26,000 18,000 44,000
25 " " ..3.836 17,000 8.000 25,000
27 " " ..3,151 15,800 9.200 25,000
29 " " ..3,033 18,000 17,000 35,000
Total value of land and buildings $414,000
Total value, exclusive of reservoir lot. .. 214,000
On motion of Alderman Slade, the communica-
tion and accompanying documents were ordered
printed and referred to the Committee on County
Buildings.
POLICE AND LICENSE COMMISSION.
Report and order in favor of a petition ito the
Legislature for act to enable the city to establish
a commission to have charge of the Police De-
partment and the issuing of licenses was consid-
ered under unfinished business. The question
was upon the passage of the order.
Alderman Harris— I regret that the committee
have deemed it expedient to report an order ask-
ing the Legislature for authority tor the city to
establish a Police Commission. The reasons that
induced this action I can only conjecture. Com-
missioners are the supposed panacea for all the
ills that afflict the city, and I confess I cannot
comprehend why, it there are evils in the Police
Department, they cannot be remedied by this
Board, without saddling new expenses and bur-
dens upon our overtaxed people. Who is at
fault? We have a Mayor, honest, courageous; a
Police Committee, who are not timid men by any
means, and both Mayor and committee have our
entire confidence. Now, if corruptions and wrong
exist, cannot we reach the result of correction by
and through them ? It was my fortune in December
last to visit several cities where such commissions
are in power, and I failed to see any better corps of
men than those which patrol our streets— aye, far,
very far, ours are superior. It is said the Chief
favors a commission — well, if he has a newsystem
to initiate, cannot our committee obtain the new
code and put it into operation; at least, cannot
some steps be taken in that direction? The citi-
zens of Boston will welcome any improvement,
and the Mayor and the committee, the Chief and
all concerned will win popular approval. I object
first, then, that it is unnecessary, second, that it
is expensive; and,until we do something ourselves
and fail, then, in that event only, can I give my
vote for this new commission.
Alderman Guild— I had the honor, sir, on be-
half of the Committee on Ordinances, of
introducing this order which the gentle-
man opposes. I regret that I have not taken
the pains to condense my reasons and argu-
ments, which I shall offer this evening, into writ-
ing, as the Alderman has, for by that means I
might economize time. We are compelled to give
so large part of our time to the claims of corpora-
tions which desire to use the streets of Boston,
that we have but little left for other city business.
The only prepared part of my speech will be,
therefore, annotations of a portion of the Mayor's
address, which I make as I go along. So much of
the Mayor's address as related to this subject was
referred to the committee who made this report.
That committee made a very careful inquiry, and
I think that some points which I shall give will
answer every objection made by the Alderman,
and answer them successfully. The Mayor said —
'•The condition of the Police Department is not
altogether satisfactory."
That is patent to everybody. I do not mean to
say we do not have as good patrolmen, and good,
efficient officers. But I mean that the system is
faulty, that the city suffers thereby, and'that the
remedy proposed will lessen the expense, promote
efficiency, make the city better policed, and add
to its safety, aud put the Mayor in a better posi-
tion as the executive head of the City Govern-
ment.
Under the present system the powers of the
Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and the Chief of
Police are not clearly defined. This has on some
occasions, we are informed, led to a conflict of
authority, which is subversive of all discipline in
a department which depends for its efficiency on
a high state of discipline. This organization
should be placed on a more permanent basis. It
cannot safely be left to the changes which are
likely to follow from the changes in the annual
election of those who have it under control.
Why, sir, a new committee comes in sometimes
composed of gentlemen perfectly fresh aud inex-
perienced with regard to city and police matters;
some of the most important questions relating to
the discipline aud regulation of the police are
brought before them for decision. The commit-
tee will be very lenient one year with regard to
the organization of the police, and the next year's
committee very lax in their discipline, and per-
haps the next year an entire change in this direc-
tion will take place and the system will be one of
great severity, or an entire change of policy take
51
BOARD OF ALDEHMi; N
place. In fact, he who is the chief of police— the
captain of this army of the City Government-
finds himself with iio settled policy. Why, sir,
we want in this City Government what every mer-
chant desires in regard to the administration of
national affairs— a settled policy; and business
men g6 so far as to say that if Congress would ad-
journ and remove the present uncertain state of
affairs, specie payments would settle themselves.
So in a degree may it he said respecting certain
departments of the City Government. A changing
policy is one that will unsettle the police depart-
ment. The Mayor tells us—
"The force as at present constituted consists of
715 meu. In such a large body changes are con-
stantly taking place, and the duty ot examining a
host of applicants for vacancies caused by death,
resignation or discharge, and of selecting such
as appear to be qualified tor appointment, de-
volves upon the Mayor."
For a lew years past the word "commission"
seems to be to some persons a sort of red robe to
a mad bull: a terrible word, indicating infringe-
ment on the liberties ot the people. The power
and privileges of the Board of Aldermen and the
Common Council are going to be taken out ol
their hands and put iuto the hands of a terrible
commission, who will draw a line around them-
selves, and say to all. "llms far shalttbou go
and no farther." I am not always of that opinion.
I do not think a commission has been much dis
advantage, for instance, in the case of
the Fire Department. And, really, today
we have a Commission of Police: and
that is a commission of one-man power, and
only one, in the City Hall ; and that commission is
the Mayor. The Mayor examine? and hears all
police applications, makes the appointments, and
really the Mayor's voice turns out and displaces
men on the force. Here comes a man who wishes
to be appointed upon the police ; the Mayor must
examine his application, patiently hear his story
and that of his friends, and read his letter and
petition; he has to do all that clerical work which
we should not call upon him, in view of his more
important duties, to perform. There is scarcely
a day in the week when you cannot go into his
office and find an important part of his time taken
up with examiniug whether some one is compe-
tent to pertorm the duties ot patrolman at three
dollars a day.
Alderman Harris— Why is it, then, that the ap-
pointments are referred to the Police Committee,
if the Mayor has absolute power?
Alderman Guild— In answer to my friend, I will
say, as I said on a former occasion in the other
branch, that time presses and he will excuse me
if I do net allow points to be made out of me for
the other side by asking me questions. I shall
permit him to make points without interruption
when he makes his speech.
Now, it is proposed to have a commission of
three expert, experienced men; three men who
will combine the duties of License and Police
Commissioners, and the License Commission is
already in existence. Furthermore I was going
to say that we absolutely need a Police Commis-
sion, for the duties that properly belong to such a
commission are now spread over a variety of
offices and committees. .Why. sir, you aud I serve
upon the License Committee today : applications
come to us for street stands, for pawnbrokers"
licenses, exhibitions, trucks aud teams and news-
boys. But we cannot stir a step until we call
in the Chief of Police to see if it is all
right before granting permission. It is
the Chief of Police that really decides;
it is the Superintendent of Pawn Bro-
kers who says it is all right with regard to an
applicant, and it is upon the testimony of police
officers that the committee grant licenses; but all
should go into the hands of a Police Commission.
The Mavor says further—
"With the best intentions on the part of the
Committee on Police, the discipline ot the de-
partment is often seriously injured by the irregu-
lar methods in which complaints against mem-
bers of the force are investigated. There is no
settled policy in regard to the punishments for
violations of the rules."
The policy may be one thing today by a commit-
tee leniently disposed towards the police, aud an-
other year entirely changed by a committee who
are martinets, very severe. Furthermore, there
is no reward for extraordinary skill and vigi-
lance on the part of police officers;
no compensation or reward established for
those who displav courage and unusual zeal in
the performance of their duties; there is no in-
centive for a man to be particularly brave or to
risk his life in the discharge of duty; and there is
nothing for those who have served faithlully for
a long time. We have on the Police force men
who have served for years, but there is no provi-
sion, not even for a small pension, for those who
have served honorably and faithfully through all
their strong life; we cau only sav, You have serv-
ed us laitlifully, bat are worn out, we have no
further o&e lor you and you can step aside. This
is all wrong.
The License Commission may l>e utilized for
tbi9 commission of the Police Department; there
need be no new commission created. In looking
over the roles and regulations of the Police De-
partment I have also learned what some ot the
duties of the captains ot police are. Instead of
being captains iu charge of a body of men to exe-
cute orders, they seem to be "mere recording
clerks. I find they must, among numerous other
clerical duties, perform the followiug. which I
read at random :
"He shall keep a daily account of the regular
and extra duties done by his men: and on the
18th of each month submit to the clerk a full
and accurate account against the name of each
member ol his station, the number oi days on
duty," etc
"He thall receive all money paid tor dog
licenses,'' etc. ; "shall make out' and collect bills
for extra service." 'He shall keep a record ol all
pawnbrokers, drinking saloons.' etc.
Aud he shall record, keep an account, and make
out lists of this, that aud the other thing, till
really a captain of police seems to lie merely a
recording officer. We ought to have a Police
Commission that shall have a record kept of all
suspected places in Bostou, the state of the city,
condition of streets, etc.. and the captains should
be merely executive officer? to see that law and
order are preserved and that the citv is properly
policed. I might talk upon this subject an hour
or longer; but I will learn a lesson trom the rail-
road Hearings, and close by saying that, in addi-
tion to other obvious advantages, a Police Com-
mission could purchase supplies for the torce bet-
ter aud cheaper; could take better care of our
station houses, and provide in advance for all
dangers and riots: keep a complete record of the
condition of the city ; apprise Boards of Health,
Street Superintendents aud various other depart-
ments, intelligently and fully, of necessary meas-
ures' that required immediate action, and thus
in every way contribute to advance the health
and safety ot the city. The police should always
be the Mayor's right arm in enforcing the law,
and, of course, he should always have power to
call on them for executive duty.
So far as my friend refers to the Chief of Police
being in favor ol this move, I would say, the
Chief at first informed the committee who inves-
tigated this matter that he was not very much in
favor of a commission, but that if an independent
commission was formed, and if it was necessary
to discontinue patrolmen enough to pa; the com-
missioners' salaries, he should say it would so ad-
vance the efficiency of his torce, and simplify and
make more effectual the action of the department,
as to more than compensate for the loss of the
patrolmen. These are a lew of the rea-
sons why the committee think the police force
would be much more effective under the commis-
sion. It would add not a pent. > i expense to the
city; but, I have it from theJChief ot Police, quite
an expense would be saved, i will not advert
to the evils which may at anytime result from the
present system, because it is patent to every man
here, but say only in conclusion, that I deem the
commission" will be no expense, but a positive
saving, to the city ot Boston.
Alderman Viles— I hardly know what to say on
this order, having so recently been appointed
chairman of the Committee on Police. If 1 oppose
the order, it might be considered that I do it on
the ground that I hate to see the business slip
from my hand. But I must say that I am not in
favor of commissions, aud have not been, and 1
think that, if we have too many of them, we shall
see bad results, because cities which have them
would be glad to get rid of them. I believe the
Police Department is a little demoralized, and has
been during the past year. The men appointed
during the past year have seemed to rely upon
those who got tbem appointed rather than
upon the Mayor and Chief. The first
thing when men were appointed, they began to
wrangle about what station they should go to,
FEB RU ARY 11
1878
52
and if a man was assigned to a station where
there was a vacancy, and he did not like it, his
friends would get him assigned to some other
station, where they wanted him, and still leaving
the vacancy When the last municipal year ex-
pired there were more men at Station 2 than
there were routes for. Some five or six men were
appointed last December to fill vacancies in the
outlying stations, and the Chief, in his wis-
dom, assigned them to those stations; but
before they got there they came with an
order from the Mayor assigning them to
Station 2, where we found four, 1 tbink, without
routes. Since that term expired the Chief has
sent them to outlying stations where tbere were
vacancies, and some of those men have been to
me to get assigned back ; but the Chief knows best
where those men belong, and the present com-
mittee will sustain him. I don't think the Chief
was sustained by the committee or the Mayor the
past year; he has been between the two, as it
were, and I must say the discipline has n't been
what it should be. I believe that we have inaugu-
rated some new systems that will be beneficial, and
you can already see the effect on the men in
the streets. The captains say there has not been so
good discipline for some time. We discharged an
officer from one station, and it has had a good ef-
fect. The committee do not propose to sit an
hour a week whitewashing the cases of men who
go into drinking places and get drunk ; and if the
men do not do their duty they must expect the
consequences. They carry the rules and regula-
lations in their pockets and can read them. We
expect them to live up to them, and we shall hold
them responsible for carrying them out. I do not
believe a commission will be for the best interest
of the city, and I cannot vote for it tonight.
Alderman Perkins— The remarks of the chair-
man of the Committee on Ordinances meets my
hearty approval, and I trust this Board will
unanimously adopt the recommodations contain-
ed in the order. The chief objections which I
have heard urged against commissions are that
bad men might be fastened upon the Government ;
that commissions were, in a measure, independent
of the City Government, and that the rights of
Aldermen and Councilmen— which, to some gen-
tlemen, seem peculiarly dear— might be taken
away. But, sir, the same rule will hold good in re-
gard to a Committee on Police or to a Mayor. If we
have a bad or a weak Mayor and a weak Commit-
tee on Police, we have a weak administration of
the affairs committed to their charge. Certainly
no gentleman at this Board will say that the effi-
ciency of the Fire Department has not been im-
measurably augmented since the new administra-
tion of affairs was inaugurated. I have not the.
slightest doubt that if this City Council will get
authority to establish this commission, some im-
provement in police affairs will follow. I trust
the order will pass.
Alderman Slade--I must enter my protest
against commissions, and I am sorry to disagree
with our excellent Mayor and the committee in
their views upon this matter; but I must do so.
I don't know what the Mayor and Aldermen are
elected for, if they are not here to do this very
work that they propose to put upon somebody
else. We stand here directly from the people,
and we are placed here by the suffrages of the
people to do this very work that we propose to
put in the hands of somebody else who is not
so intimately and closely connected with the
people as we are. I believe the closer to the
people that all matters pertaining to the city are
kept, the better for us all and the better for the
police it will be. I believe that the police are to-
day and will be more efficient under the eye of
the Mayor and this Board than they will it they
are thrust one side and put under the eye of a
commission. The committee propose to put the
police and the issuing of licenses into the hands
of a commission, and I don't believe that the peo-
ple will sanction it. I don't believe that Boston
people will go with us in that direction at
all. The members of the Board ana the
Common Council are known mostly to the
people in the different sections from which
they come, and we can be and are approached
much more freely by the people than a commis-
sion possibly could be. I don't believe in com-
missions, and I would rather do a good deal to get
rid of one or two or three that we have than to
have any more. I don't agree with my friend on
my left in regard to the Fire Commission. I be-
lieve that if those three commissioners were re-
moved the department would go on just as well as
it is now, and that the Chief Engineer and his as-
sistants could manage it just as well as the com-
mission can. For my part, I cannot see what this
Fire Commission has to ao. I don't believe
that we will be justified or backed up by the peo-
ple when we put any more of the work of the city
into the hands of commissions. The Mayor and
Aldermen are the proper persons to do this work.
The chairman of the committee says that it will
rectify weak spots. If there are any weak spots,
let them be remedied, no matter whom it hits. As
to the examinatioD of the different applicants,
there wont probably be more than twenty-five or
thirty changes in that department this year; there
were not more than that last year, and
certainly it wont be a very hard matter
for the Mayor and the Committee on
Police to make this selection. There will
be plenty of names to select from. I am sorry
this matter has been brought up here. I have
looked it over pretty carefully, as I have every
commission, and 1 am aware that there are other
things to follow this, in the way of commissions,
that I shall strongly object to, and I hope they
wont come. I have seen ia the papers of there
being a petition signed to have the horse railroads
put into the hands of commissioners. Now, to-
night, twelve of us have listened to a request for a
location by a horse railroad ; it has been-
referred to a committee of three selected from
this Board to look the route over and see if every-
thing is all right, and that it can be done as well
as not, and report back to us. Here is the place
to settle such matters: they belong to the people,
and we belong to the people much more than the
commissions do. I am not scared at the men-
tion of commissions, but they remove matters so
much farther from the people, and I don't like
them. I understand from a gentleman from New
York that the people there are trying to get the city
business from the hands of the commissions back
into their own hands; they have been robbed and
cheated until they desire to get them back into
their hands again. You get a commission ap-
pointed and it is the hardest thing to kill in the
world. I hope we shall not move one step in that
direction.
Alderman Guild— A word or two more. The
gentleman refers to the Police Committee as now
constituted. But we don't know what the Police
Committee will be that will come ofter this one.
Certainly the record of the Fire Commission
shows that it has been a success. I merely place
before you the facts. Here is the Chief of Police,
who would be the last man. I should say, who
would want a Police Commission appointed ; and
yet he has freely given evidence in its favor. The
police should be removed from all taint of political
influences. It is not now so removed. Political
influence may be brought to bear by an official
upon the Chief to appoint or displace' a man. At
a certain station the regulation may be pretty-
strict, and an inefficient man may not like it very
well ; he goes to his friends in the Board of
Aldermen or Common Council and gets himself
transferred from Station 1 to Station 7. S or 10,
and snaps his fingers at his old officer and says,
I have outwitted you, and Alderman This or
Councilman That has got me transferred. The
police should be removed as far as possible
from all such influences, which interfere with
discipline. They ought to be perfectly free
from them. A board of police commissioners
should be appointed that would have a record of
every part of the city, as is done in the city of
Paris. They should know every disreputable
place and every place where liquor is sold, where
gambling or other illegal practices take place, and
should enforce the laws of Boston, which are not
strictly enforced to-day. I think the Government
could hold such a commission responsible for the
enforcement of the law. We do not throw all the
supervision of these commissioners out of our
power. I hold that an ordinance might be framed
by which a Police Commission would be sub-
ordinate to the Mayor of Boston, and any
one of them could be removed for cause.
They should be under him. and the Chief
of Police should be to this body of men what the
colonel is to a regiment. There is today no esprit
du corps amoug the police as there is among the
firemen, and l"do not think there is the "same
efficiency. Oar present Police Committee may be
very efficient; but you don't know what wo may
get next year. Talk about the people in elections!
It is too often the case that it is the man that can
spend the most money and furnish the most wh's-
key that will control an election, while the people
53
HOARD OF ALDERMKJN
wake up too late to And tBeniselves deceived, aud
that they must wait a year to repair damages.
We know that. It is no use talking about this
grand popular business. Let us put this department
out of the reach of danger. We know what has
been done in one year, and what an effort had to be
made by the people against politieians, to prevent
Boston' from going where New York has gone,
not on account of commissions, but of politicians
who managed the commissions. If we enact any
measure of salety, let us do it today. Such a set
of commissioners would learn, from long experi-
ence, how to appoint an excellent police force,
good efficient officers. Our committee very often
appoint a man because he is a good man ; he has
been a porter in Mr. Bullion's store, gets down at
six o'clock every morning, never stole anything,
goes to church twice on Sunday; has been in Mr.
Bullion's store rive years; Mr. Bullion rec-
ommends him; he "is appointed, and yet
proves to be one of the poorest officers
on the force from non-adaptability. Take men
who become thoroughly experienced in looking
up men suitable for police duty ; who are experts
in detecting crime and in keeping those records,
and who superintend the duties of the police, the
License Commissioners and the committee; cen-
tralize that power and you will make it more ef-
fectual aud powerful, and make your city better
governed; in fact, more desirable to live in.
Alderman Slade — lam sorry the Alderman has
so little confidence in the people; I have a great
deal more than he has. I am sorry if our Chief of
Police has n't got backbone enough to stand up
and organize his force, as a good officer of a bat-
talion would do as commander iu chief; and if he
has not backbone enough to do that, put some-
body there who has it. It theie is any fault any-
where, as has been suggested, perhaps it is in the
Chief. I don't know; 1 don't say there is ; I have
nothing at all against the Chief. When they find
three or lour men in a statiou who are not needed
there, if he stands up and does his duty, the people
will stand by him. and no Mayor will ever dare to
attempt to set aside or discharge the Chief for
doing his duty in that respect. The better a man
does his duty, the better the people like him; and
as to being afraid of politicians, I don't care one
cent about it. If a member of this Board should
ask something of the Chief that ought not to be
granted, the Chief would be to blame if he don't
stand up and reiuse it. If we ha\e a proper
Chief, deputy and clerks and captains, lieutenants
and sergeants, and the police are not organized
something like a military regiment, the principal
fault will come back upon the Chief. That is the
case with every battalion I ever knew in the world ;
for where the commander is right, the whole body
is right. I don't wish to be understood as reflect-
ing upon the Chief of Police; but I say this mat-
ter can be cured better by committees than by
commissions, which can berun by rum and poli-
ticians better than anybody else.
Alderman Yiles— One word in relation to our
Chief, He has the backbone, and will do his duty
it he is sustained by the Mayor and committee.
But he is bound to honor the order which a politi-
cian brings from the Mayor. It has been done
and it will be done.
Alderman Guild — There is the abuse; and it has
been done; and that is the answer to my friend
opposite. A man may have all the backbone he
desires, but his backbone will be broken by the
superior officer.
Alderman Slade — I wonder if a commission's
backbone cannot be brokon in that way.
Alderman Guild — I don't think it is as easy to
break three men's backbones as it is to break one.
Alderman Slade— I think it is. But, Mr. Chair-
man, we may have had a Mayor who has done just
what has been suggested ; if'we have had a Mayor
of that kind, one year is long enough for him to
stay here. 1 don't think we have got one, and I
am afraid the Alderman is putting it a little thick
upon the other.
Alderman Guild — I am not aware of putting it
thick upon anybody.
Alderman McLean— I did n't propose to say a
word, but this seems to be an important question,
and as I am never afraid to make my record I
desire to say that the recommendation of the
Mayor and the committee meets my cordial com-
mendation. The report has been so heartily sup-
ported and fully explained by the chairman of the
committee that it is hardly necessary for me to
say a word. 1 believe it will make the govern-
ment of the police more stable and regular. As
the chairman says, we may not always have
such a Committee on Police as we have this
year, and he is trying to provide for those occa-
sions. In the second place, it is a fact that the
police are subject to political influences; they
know it and feel if. I have had it stated tome
by some of the best policemen on the force that
they were kfraid of their bread and butter in cer-
tain localities, and that they did n't dare to do
their duty as they desired, for the simple reason
that they would suffer for it; and the consequence
was they were compelled to wink at viola-
tions of the law. I believe a commission
would be more economical. If we were going to
add any more expenses to the city I would n't
care to advocate it; but 1 believe the commission
is going to keep down the expense. We will not
have a new commission, for the present license
commission can be turned into a Dolice commis-
sion.
Alderman Harris— Would there be any need of
a license commission if the Legislature should
enact a ptohibitory law?
Alderman McLean— I have nothing to say what
they may or may not do; but I have no doubt the
duties or the police can be performed better and
be more tree from political influences under a
commission than otherwise. It is within the
knowledge of every man at this Board that the
Police Department were interfered with, that
their favor might be bad; and how do we know
but that thing will take place another year? I
am heartily iu favor of this report, and shall vote
for the order.
Alderman Slade called for the yeas and nays
and the order was passed — yeas 8, nays 4.
Yeas— Aldermen Faunce, Guild, Hayden, Mc-
Lean, Perkins, Stebbins. Whidden, Wbiton— 8.
Nays— Aldermen Harris, Robinson, Slade, Viles
—4,
Subsequently a motion to reconsider was made
by Alderman Guild, hoping it would not prevail.
Alderman Harris called for the yeas and nays
and the motion was lost — yeas 4, nays 0, the Al-
dermen voting relatively the same as before.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS PBOU THE COMMON
COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Auditor's exhibit. Feb. 1,1878, of the state of the
several appropriations. (City documental.) Placed
on tile.
Request of directors of East Boston ferries for
an appropriation for a new ferry boat, and for
.leave to sell alt old boat. Referred to Committee
on Ferries in concurrence.
Request of directors of East Boston ferries for
authority to contract for fuel, to be paid for in
the next financial year. Referred to Committee
on Ferries in concurrence.
Annual report of City Registrar. Placed on tile.
Report recommending the election of John
Oalvin as Superintendent of Common— with a
minority report in favor of the election of Wil-
liam Doogue to that position. Accepted in con-
currence.
Alderman Slade moved to proceed to a ballot,
and on motion of Alderman Perkins the matter
was laid on the table.
order for Board of Health to furnish an esti-
mate of the cost of abating the nuisance on the
Mill Pond flats at Charlestown. Passed in concur-
rence.
Order to allow the bill of P. H. Rogers, $8.50,
chargeable to "Sewers." Passed in concurrence.
Order to display flags and ring the bells of the
city on Washington's birthday. Passed in con-
currence—yeas 12, nays 0.
Report and order for a transfer of $359.17 from
appropriation for Fever Hospital, Gallop's Island,
to that for Quarantine Department. Order passed
in concurrence— yeas 12. nays 0.
Ordinance to amend the ordinance in relation to
printing, so that the Mayor shall appoint, subject
to the approval of the City Council, a superin-
tendent of printing for a term of three years.
Passed in concurrence.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS.
(My Clerk. Report for quarter ending Jan. 31,
1878. Receipts $1121.50, which have been paid to
Collector. Sent down.
/■'ire Commissioners. Report of fires and alarms
for January. Sent down.
Commissi a it i rs on Sinking Funas. A report
was received from the Sinking Fund Commission-
ers naming the following amounts required to be
paid to them from taxation on Dec. 1, 1878, to pro-
vide for the sinking funds; Burnt District Sink-
ing Fund, $146,698; new Sinking Fund, $310,749;
FEBRUARY 11. 1878.
ft4
Cochituate Water Sinking Fund, $207,456. Total
taxation required for the sinking Kinds, §664,903.
Sent down.
NEW SYSTEM OJb' BOOKKEEPING. FOR "WATER DE-
PARTMENT.
A communication was received from the Boston
Water Board calling attention to the recommenda-
tions in their annual report of -May 1, 1877, in re-
gard to opening a new set of books, and request-
ing authority to spend $500 for the services of an
expert accountant and other temporary assistance
in opening such a set of books as is therein recom-
mended.
Alderman Wbiton— The Committee on Water-
have substantially had that matter before them.
At a meeting the other day the chairman of the
Water Board was before them and made an ex-
planation to the same effect as that communica-
tion, and the committee were pretty well satisfied
that what they ask for ought to be granted. They
have found that the system of keeping the ac-
counts of the department has been very defective
indeed, and that it can be improved very much to
their advantage and that of the city of Boston.
Last year theCommittee on Retrenchment cut down
the fund with which they oroposea to pay for the
services of their clerk, sothat they have none left,
and tney wish the money to perfect the system.
They wish to prepare the books and get all ready
for the commencement of the next financial year,
and I have an order which I will offer in connec-
tion witb that communication :
Oi dered— That the Boston Water Board be au-
thorized to expend a sum not exceeding §500 for
the temporary employment of an expert account-
ant and other assistants in providing a new sys-
tem of bookkeeping for that department; the ex-
pense to be charged to the appropriation for
Water.
On motion of Alderman Whiton the order was
read twice and put upon its passage.
Alderman Whidden said he was engaged and
dirt not hear the explanation.
Alderman Whiton — The Water Board have not
a clear system of keeping their accounts. The
communication referred to a report of theirs
which is found in City Doc. 75 of last year, in
which they say —
" The board has been considering a plan for the
reorganization of the Water Department, that
they hope after a while to be able to carry out,
and which they believe will be an improvement,
at least so far as the division of labor is con-
cerned, and the equalization of compensation for
the services of employes. They desire, also, to
make such a change in the manner of keeping
accounts as will enable them at all times to know,
by books kept at their office at City Hall, very
nearly the condition of all work done or being
done in any branch of the department. Under
the present system the accounts are kept in books
at the various offices, but they are not reported
daily, and made a part of the system such as it
seems to the board is needful to keep them prop-
erly informed of the daily operations of the work-
ing force, and cost of the work it may be engaged
upon. The distribution of materials, the labor
expended upon any particular piece of work, the
cost and disposal of tools, as well as the gross
amount of expenditure, should, in the judgment
ot the board, be shown in a set of regularly bal-
anced books Kept by an experienced accountant
at their office."
One can readily understand that there is a
chance for a good system of bookkeeping by
which all these points can be obtained, and they
not be obliged to hunt through a series of books
for any parricular item. The present clerk is so
clo'ely confined that, even if he had the ability to
do it in the best manner, he could not arrangethe
books at the present time, as the labor of keep-
ing the records of settling up the Sudbury River
land damages takes up all his time. An expert
could inaugurate the system and carry it on till
such time as the clerk can take hold of it
and carry it on himself. Any one con-
versant with the intricacies ot bookkeeping knows
there are as many different systems as there are
different, kinds ot accounts'. The chairman of
the board made it appear to the committee that
the present system was to be deplored and might
be made much better, and that the expenditure
would be quite small compared with the benefits
to he obtained.
Alderman Whidden — I am satisfied with the ex-
planation. Without it $500 seemed to be a pretty
large sum to spend for that purpose.
The order was passed. Sent down.
LICENSESV
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows:
Minors' Applications Granted— Twenty news-
boys.
Street Stand Licensed— Richard Fitzgerald, to
stand a wheelbarrow or handcart at 101 West
Brookline street.
Wagon License Granted— John F. Simpson, 225
E street.
Amusement License Granted— Thomas F. Dro-
han, to give an athletic entertainment at Beet-
hoven Hall, provided it shall be subject to the su-
pervision ot the Police Department.
Pawnbrokers and Dealers in Second-hand Arti-
cleslicensed— \V. A. Pollard, 25 Howard street, and
George W. Watson, 46V 2 Howard street.
Pawnbroker Licensed — J. A. Palmer, HjPember-
ton square.
Severally accepted.
CONTRACT FOR WATER PIPE.
Alderman Whiton submitted a report from the
Committee on Water, on request of the Boston
Water Board for authority to contract for addi-
tional water pipe, recommending the passage of
an order— That the Boston Water Board be au-
thorized to contract for the delivery of the cast-
iron pipes required for the ordinary work of the
Water Department during the next financial year;
the amount of said contract, not exceeding $55,000,
to be paid from the appropriation to be made for
the Cochituate Water Department for the finan-
cial year 1878-79. Read twice and passed. Sent
down.
PERMITS FOR STABLES.
Alderman Viles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health on the part of the Board in
favor of granting permits to occupy stables by P.
H. Henderson, on Orchard street ; Thomas Don-
nelly, on Ashland street; Lorin Clark, on Adams
street, near Milton street, Ward 24. Severally ac-
cepted.
PROJECTING SIGN REFUSED.
Alderman Viles submitted a report from the
Committee on Police ot leave to withdraw on pe-
tition of J. Irvin Carr & Co. for leave to suspend a
flag across School street at No. 22. Accepted.
MARKET.
Alderman Slade submitted reports from the
Committee on Market recommending approval of
transfer of cellar of stall 13, Faneuil Hall Market,
by C. T. Dunn to W. J. Griggs, and of lease of
same cellar by W. J. Griggs to David S. Coolidge.
Severally acceptea.
PUBLIC PARKS.
A report and order came down to transfer from
the Reserve Fund $25,000 to appropriation for
"Public Park, Back Bay," to meet the expense of
filling, grading, etc. Order passed in concur-
rence — yeas 12, nays 0.
A report and order came down to authorize the
Park Commissioners to purchase two and eight-
tenths (2 8-10) acres at Longwood entrance of
Back Bay Park, also to purchase land to continue
the Beacon-street entrance down to the Charles
River. Referred to the Committee on Finance in
concurrence.
Alderman Guild submitted the following:
The Joint Special Committee on Public Parks, to
whom was refeired so much of the Mayor's inau-
gural address as relates to the improvement of the
Back Bay Park and Charles River embankment,
having carefully considered the subject, beg leave
to sub ci it the following as a report in part: The
committee are of the opinion that it is important
that the city should obtain possession of the flats
in Charles River, extending from Canal Bridge
to the junction of Brookline avenue and
Beacon street, in order that the water
front of the city in that direction may
be kept open both for sanitary reasons and for
purposes of ornamentation. Endeavors have al-
ready been made by private parties to obtain con-
trol of these flats tor various purposes, which, if
successful, will destroy the great natural advan-
tages of the locality, depreciate the value of tax-
able property in the vicinity, and effectually pre-
vent the utilization ot the river front ior public
purposes. The committee believe that the city
should endeavor to protect its interests in this
directiou, aud to that end we respectfully recom-
mend the passage of the following order:
Ordered, That bis Honor the Mayor be request-
ed to petition the General Court lor the cession
by the Commonwealth to the city of Boston of the
strip of flats on Charles River .beginning at the
55
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
southerly end of Canal Dridge and extending to
the Harbor Commissioners' line, near the junc-
tion of Brookline avenue and Beacon street.
Alderman Faunae said there was some hurry
about getting this matter betore the Legislature,
and he moved that the order take its second read-
ing.
Alderman Harris— I would like to know what
expense this is going to involve the city in. It
will put our feet in pretty deep when we take all
that wharf property, up to Brookline avenue, and
any one who has been there knows there is con-
siderable property there that has to be purchased.
As I understand, this petition is for the right to
take it.
Alderman Faunce— No, sir.
Alderman Harris -Then I misunderstand it.
Alderman Guild — It is no expense to the city.
It is simply to ask to cede those flats to the city.
As we are now, we are utterly unprotected. If
the Coiumouwealth should choose to till up those
flats to the Harbor Commissioners' line, it would
come very near to the Beacon-street coping of the
wall there, and also very uear to the Charles
River shore. A railroad corporation might get a
right to ruu over that land, which would belong
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and ruin
the property that belongs to citizens of Boston.
If we can get the Commonwealth to cede that to
us, and keep it open for sanitary reasons, and
never drop an ounce of tilling there, it will be a
protection to the city to have it in its own hands.
It is no expense to the city.
Alderman Harris— I think the gentleman labors
under some misapprehension. Certainly the State
owns no Mats from Leverett-street Bridge to Cam-
bridge Bridge.
Alderman Guild— It was so stated by the Mayor
in his inaugural address, and was so stated to the
committee. 1 have a plan here which I will show
the gentleman. Of course I would not ask the
Commonwealth to cede anything to us that
does n't belong to tnem.
Alderman Harris— If the gentleman has thor-
oughly investigated it, he knows better than I do,
perhaps.
Alderman (iuild— To make it more intelligible,
i t is simply the flats behind Beacon street and
Charles street. It is represented that they belong
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and we
simply want to get them ceded to the city.
Alderman McLean— Is there not some expense
attached to this in the future? Is n't there to be
an expensive retaining wall'.' OI course, if we
have the flats ceded to us, as a consequence we
shall be called upon to expend a good deal of
money.
Alderman Guild — I do not so understand it. The
petition is tor the State to cede the flats without
any condition. This effort was made last year.
The State may put in some condition; we are not
obliged to accept it. The effort is made under the
plea that we desire to nrotect ourselves. We de-
sire that the whole of this water front, which
they now own, should remain open as a protection
to the city. It is well known that a member of the
House of Representatives has urged the filling up
of this portion to allow a railroad corporation to
run around in the rear of Beacon and Charles
streets into the countn .
Aldermau Viles— Has this anything to do with
the contemplated park?
Alderman Guild— Certainly it has.'.it the City
Government will authorize it. There is a little
strip of land down there which will make a
pretty portion of the park if the City Govern-
ment wants it. But independent ot the park, if
no nark was contemplated, I should feel author-
ized to introduce this order simply from the
danger to the city of Boston, as an order has
been introduced into the Legislature for fill-
ing up these flats by the State, and the
project has beeu defeated by Boston influence; at
least so I have been informed during the investi-
f?tions of this committee. *Vere there no park,
should feel that I had the best interests of the
citizens of Boston at heart by moving in tnis mat-
ter. There is no cat in the meal.
Alderman McLean— I have no doubt it is all
open and above board; nevertheless, I have the
feeling that this is the entering wedge to a large
expenditure in the future. It would be very easy
to say that the City Government accepted this tor
the sole purposes of a park.
Alderman Guild— Not unless the State put that
into the condition.
Alderman McLean— 1 am opposed to these large
expenditures for park purposes in every direction,
and wnile this may be proper, I desire to prevent
the city from going into any of those large
schemes that have been laid out by the Park Com-
missioners. It this is one of them, I would rather
have a little more time to look it over. I know it
is very easy to say that this does n't cost any-
thing.
Alderman Faunce withdrew the motion fin- a
second reading, and the order went over.
CONSOLIDATION OF BARBOB MA8TEB ami iiak-
BOK POLICE.
Alderman Perkins submitted a report in part
from the joint special committee appointed to as-
certain ami report what changes can be made in
the duties now performed by the Harbor Master,
police and fire boats with a view to the consolida-
tion thereof, that in their opinion it is desirable
and expedient that the duties performed by the
Harbor Master and Captain of the Harbor Police
be consolidated, and witt that view they recom-
mend the passage of an order— That chapter 64
ot the acts of the Legislature of 1802, entitled An
act concerning the Harbor Master of Boston, be "
and the same hereby is accepted by the city of
Boston. Bead once.
ORDBB i" PAY.
Alderman Perkins, from the Committee on
Streets on the part of the Hoard, submitted an or-
der to pay George Saner S400 for land taken and
damages occasioned by the laying out ot Ward
street. Read twice and passed."
ELECTION hi SUPERINTENDENT OK STREETS.
Alderman Whldden submitted the following:
The joint special committee appointed to nom-
inate a Superintendent of Streets, who have re-
ported iu favor ot the reelection of Charles Har-
ris, and to whom has since been referred the re-
monstrance of Gardner Warren against the re-
election of said Harris to that office, would re-
spectfully report that they have given the remon-
strants a hearing, and that in their opinion the
several allegations in said remonstrance have not
been sustaiued.
The report was accepted. Sent down.
On motion of Alderman Whidden, the election
of a Superintendent ot Streets was taken up.
The Chairman read a request from Lawrence D.
Welby ct al., that the election of Superintendent
of Streets be postponed until after the perusal of
a commnuication and accompanying statement
submitted to the Mayor today.
Alderman Perkins said the committee gave the
remonstrants a patient hearing, and ample oppor-
tunity had been given to impeach the character
of the Superintendent; but all the charges bad
been disproved.
Alderman Whidden made a similar statement
and read letters from ex-Alderman N. C. Nash
and Warren Gardner, adding that every opportu-
nity had been given to every one to make their
statement.
The election proceeded, and Charles Harris re-
ceived twelve votes and was declared elected.
Sent down.
KKSIGXATION.
Alderman Perkins said he would have to be ab-
sent from the city for some time on ac-
count of ill health, and tendered his resignation
as a member of the Committee on Health, which
the Board accepted, and Alderman Harris was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
SUPERINTENDENTS OU BBIDOB8.
Alderman Harris offered an order— Thar the
Committee on Bridges be requested to nominate
suitable candidates for superintendents of
bridges partly controlled by the city ol Boston.
Passed.
Alderman McLean in the chair.
MASSAi 111 SETTS CUAlilTAllLE MECHANIC ASSO-
CIATION.
Alderman Stebbins stated that he had beeu re-
quested to present, and did present, a petition
from a committee of the Board of Government of
the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Associa-
tion for the city to obtain legislative authority to
grant them leave to use a portion ot the parade
ground for their next exhibition ; and in the event
of a refusal by the city, to select some other place
within the city proper.
Alderman Stebbins— I stated very frankly to
the member of the committee who brought this
petition to my attention, that I shared the senti-
ments of those who opposed the granting of the
Common for that purpose last year, and I should
feel bound to oppose making the application to
FEBRUARY 11
18 7 8
56
the Legislature to obtain the necessary authority
to give the association permission to hold the ex-
hibition upou the Common. In the course of the
conversation it was suggested that possibly there
might be other locations where sufficient land
could be obtained to enable the association to
give such an exhibition hs they desire, and among
other lots brought to their attention was that
owned by the city near the Providence depot. It
is somewhat irregular in shape, but still, per-
haps, it is well adapted for the purposes for
which they desire a lot. In the immedi-
ate vicinity, connected with this lot, is
a public schoolhouse of ten rooms, belong-
ing to the city, and it has been suggested that
possibly, if the ute of that building could be ob-
tained, 'and the city should grant the use of the
land belonging to it, the association might be en-
couraged to erect a costly budding and would
give one of their exhibitions, which have been a
source of much profit to them in the past, and
also great credit to the city of Boston. It
is with a view of ascertaining . whether
location cannot be made available for the pur-
poses of the association that I shall move the ref-
erence of tne petition to a joint special commit-
tee of three on the part of the Board, with such
as the Council may join, to take the whole
subject into consideration, for it is certainly
desirable to encourage this association to
give an exhibition cluiiDg the coming
season, if possible. As you are all aware, these
exhibitions have reflected great credit upon the
association, and bring large numbers of people to
the city, and I have no doubt that if one could be
given this year it will be of treat benefit to the
association and the city. As there seems to be no
joint standing committee to whom the petition
can be properly referred, and as it concerns mat-
ters which are in charge of several committees of
the City Government, I move the reference of the
petition with a view of thoroughly investigating
the whole matter.
The motion prevailed, and Aldermen Stebbins,
Hayden and Whidden were appointed on said
comuiittee. Sent down.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Stebbins.
57
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 14, 1878.
Regular meeting at IV., o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Sundry petitions were referred in concurrence.
A petition of the Massachusetts Charitable Me-
chanic Association, for leave to erect a temporary
building on the Common, and in case of refusal
for the City Council to select some suitable site,
came down referred to a joint special committee.
Concurred, and Messrs. Burke of Ward '_', Clapp
of Ward 14, Colby of Ward 18, Taylor of Ward 16,
and Smith of Ward 9 were joined to said com-
mittee.
Report of fires and alarms for January and City
Clerk's quarterly report. Severally placed on rile.
Communication from Commissioners on link-
ing Funds, that the amount of taxation required
tor said funds tor the coming financial year will
be $664,903. Placed on tile.
Request of Boston Water Board for an allow-
ance to effect a new system of bookkeeping.
Placed on tile.
Order for an expenditure notexceeding $500 for
temporary employment of an expert accountant
and other assistance lor the Boston Water Board.
Ordered to a second reading.
Report and order for contract to he made for
rtelivery/.of cast-iron pipes to the Water Depart-
ment for next financial year at not exceeding
655,000.
.Mr. Wilson of Ward 20 said it was important for
the Water Board to make this contract immedi-
ately. It takes considerable time to make the
pipe, and it was necessary to begin early, that the
work of the department may not be delayed in
the spring. On motion of Mr. Wilson, the rule
was suspended and the order was read a second
time and passed in concurrence.
Certificate of appointment of Alderman Harris
on Committee on Health, vice Alderinau Perkins.
Placed on tile.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
A report came down of committee on remon-
strance of G. Warren against the election ol the
present Superintendent of Streets; that the com-
mittee have given the remonstrant a hearing, and
the allegations in said remonstrance have not
been sustained. Accepted in concurrence.
Certificate of election of Charles Harris as Su-
perintendent of Streets. Placed on file. An elec-
tion was ordered. Committee — Messrs. Shepard
of Ward 1, Sawyer of Ward 18, Iv'ason of Ward 17.
Whole number of votes r>4
Necessary to a choice 28
Charles Harris had 62
Henry Wilson 1
Stephen A. Tarbell 1
And Mr. Harris was elected in concurrence.
POLICE AND LICENSE COMMISSION.
A report and order came aown for the Mayor
to petition the Legislature for authority to estab-
lish a commission to have cnarge of "the Police
Department and the issuing ot licenses.
The question was on giving the order a second
reading.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2— I notice that this ques-
tion gave rise to some discussion in the Board ot
Aldermen, who were divided as to the expediency
of passing this order. From my past course it
is pretty well understood that I am opposed to
commissions in any form, the same quest.on hav-
ing been up last Thursday evening iu regird to
second Assistant Assessors, although that was
not in the form of a commission. I certainly can-
not see what advantage it will be to establish
a commission. The present commissions of
three cost about $12,000 a year apiece, and there
is considerable extra clerk hire attending them.
That is one reason I oppose them; but the princi-
pal reason is because I fail to see why the citizens
of Boston are willing to surrender their rights to
any department of the City Government. I have
my doubts whether the citizens of Boston are
willing to give up their rights to any department
in the City Government; and this wholesale put-
ting of every department under a commission is
certainly nothing more or less than giving up the
rights of the people of Boston . There appears to be
au effort this year to turu every department into
a commission, and what is to be left for the City
Government to do? If it is necessary for the Al-
dermen to give their whole time to the interests
of the city, I should vote for the order of the gen-
tleman from Ward 9 to pay them a salary, and
thus let the people say who shall be elected on the
commission. A great deal has been said about
rings in City Hall last year, but it seems to me
that City Hall is about to be made into
a permanent ring this year. When four or five
departments are consolidated into commissions,
what have t^ie people the right to appeal to? I
am a member of the Committee on Fire Depart-
ment, and I know what strength I have. I don't
amount to a bagatelle on that committee. It
don't make any difference what report I make in
retard to a subject, an examination from the
commission on that department would over-
rule any report I might make. If this mat-
ter went before the people of Boston, I
doubt if they would surrender their rights to
commissions. 1 think that three members of the
Board of Aldermen as a committee and the Mavor
would be sufficient to regulate the police. We
have a gentleman at the head of that department
who has been a police officer all his life, and if he
has any ability he can manage it. If we are going to
put all the departments under commissions, what
is there tor us to do? But I object to it because
its object is to remove power from the people
through their representatives. Just so long as
the representatives ot the people have a voice in
making the beads of departments in City Hall,
they have to walk straight and show some respect
for even the humblest 'member of the City Gov-
ernment, But when you establish a commissi on,
it takes a two-thirds vote of both brandies ten-
two years before you can abolish it. I hope the
members of the City Government will see the pro-
priety of maintaining their rights and the rights
of the people, and go in for no more commissions
in this City Hall.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— As chairman of the
committee whicn reported this order, I suppose it
is proper for me to say a tew words. 1 had hoped
we should not get to discussing the whole question
ot the propriety of commissions at this stage of
proceedings. "The question now is simply
whether we shall ask the Legislature for
authority to turn this department of the
Government over to a commission, and the
proper time to discuss the propriety of doing so
will be hereafter, when we get the power. We
have hardly lime to oiscuss the main question
now, bec^ise it this order is going to be present-
ed to the Legislature at all, it must be sent there
soon. It mu-t go there quickly, else it will be of no
use to pass it this year, and the subject cannot be
acted upon until another session ot the Legisla-
ture. Therefore I hope gentlemen will see the
propriety of passing this order to get the authori-
ty from the Legislature, and then we can consider
the subject more carefully and act upon it accord-
ing to our bent opinion. I had supposed that the
idea was very generally entertained that there was
a necessity tor putting the police in charge of a
commission, I have understood — I think I am
not mistaken — that his Honor Mayor Prince was
equally In favor of this, from his experience last
year. It is n't a new notion of Mayor Pierce, and
I understood — and I believe correctly — that
Mayor Prince had the same opinion at
the beginning of his year of office, and also af-
ter a year's experience in the City Gov-
ernment; that he thought it was desirable to put
the Police Department in the hands of three
men who should make it their business to
attend to that department carefully, give their
time to it, and not — like a committee of the Alder-
men — give only such time as they can catch from
other public business and from their private
affairs They are on other committees, and, be-
ing perhaps theie only one year, they cannot
get. thoioughly posted during their term of
office, wher as with a commission holding
office for three yearp, and only one member
changing each year, there will always be a
pei man -ncy in the body ; the members would have
time to do the work, and, it being their business to
attend to that depaitn enr, they would give time
and attention to it, ju*i as a man does to his pri-
vate business, and would nor. treat it as a side mar-
ter. The gentleman from Ward 2 speaks of it as
taking away the rights ot the people. In one sense
we may say all our present form of government is
taking away certain immediate powers and
FEBRUARY 14
187 8
ZS
rights of the people. A large city cannot be
governed directly by the peoule in town meeting.
That used to be the fortu of government when this
city was a great deal smaller than it is now. All
the people used to go to town meeting in Faneuil
Hall; all the citizens went down there and voted
upon what they thought best should be done, and
matters were passed upon according to the best
judgment of the people at the time. But after
tne city got large and the business to be trans-
acted became very complicated, the people had
to turn their affairs over to the Aldermen and
Common Council, it may be said that that was
taking away the rights of the people; but it seems
to me it wis enabling the people to exercise their
rights in a more convenient and efficient manner.
Sow, it has been thought by many persons, well
qualified to judge, that it is desirable to govern
this department of the police through other means
than a committee of the Board of Aldermen,
namely, a commission; but that commission will
have derived its power from the people. It will
be created by the people— indiiectly it is true-
through the Mayor; but it will be really the people
who will do everything, except through different
machinery. The busiuess of the city has become
so complicated that it has to be done through
different machinery from that formerly employed,
and the only question now is what that
machinery shall be. I believe this machinery of
the commissions has been found to be an efficient
and desirable form of transacting the business of
departments that require a great deal of attention
and work. I believe our Fire Commission has
done a good work, and I am of the opinion that a
police commission would produce an equally satis-
factory result. On this point I should differ from
the gentleman who has just spoken. The com-
missioners would, indeed, be less subject to the
threats or requests of various members of the
Council, who might say, if you don't do this or
that, you will have your salary cut down ; or if you
don't'do this or that, you cannot be reelected. A
commission is likely to be more independent, do
its work better, more honestly and'efficiently.
The gentleman says that a commission is in
such a position that it can refuse to recognize the
requests of members of the City Government. It
should listen to them; it should not be beyond our
control, and should be bound to treat all our re-
quests with respect; but it should not be immedi-
ately dependent upon the favor of individuals. I
think that a commission ,the members of which hold
office for a terra of three years, and are not liable
to be removed unless for "decided misconduct, are
more likely to manage the affairs of the city prop-
erly than the same men would be if they
were liable to be tossed about by every wind
of popular passion and prejudice. These,
in general terms, are my reasons for be-
lieving we should petition the Legisla-
ture for this power. As I said before, I should
hope we shall not go into the general sub-
ject of the value of commissions to-night. It is a
complicated question; there are two sides to it,
and I don't tbink we can properly discuss it to-
night. But I hope the Council will be willing to
pass the order and let the petition be presented to
the Legislature, it the authority is granted, the
whole question, whether it is expedient to create
the conimission, may be discussed as fully as we
may see fit and until we are all tired of it.
Mr. Thompson ot Ward 9 — As a member of the
Committee on Ordinances, who investigated this
subject and reported this order, I think I can un-
derstand in part some of the causes which give
the warmth of feeling to the gentleman from
Ward 2 in his discussion of this matter. I for one
had no doubt in my mind, when I joined in rec-
ommending the passage of this order. From the
examination of the Chief and Deputy Chief
belore the committee, it was apparent that
the time had come in the government of this
great and growing city for some change in
the machinery for conducting our police
affairs. The gentleman asks, What are we
to do here if we put into the bands of
commissioners all the executive duties of the
City Government ? If it is f ai r to compare a great
thing with a small thing, I would ask him what
he would think of commanding the army of the
United States by a committee of the House of
Representatives. In governing the police force
by a committee, we act upon the same principle,
and it is only because of the magnitude of the
the army that the ridiculousness of it appears
more plainly.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— How many com-
manding generals do we have in the army?
Mr. Thompson— One, sir. Such an experiment
for governing an army has been tried by the first
French Republic, and they abandoned it because
experience proved it a complete failure. It seems
to me that a mere glance at the department is
enough to couvince us that it should be taken out
of the control of a body like this. You have got
to manage seven or eight hundred men, keep
them in discipline, remove as far as possible from
their personal characters, and force them to act
as far as possible-
Mr. Spenceley— Like slaves.
Mr. Thompson — Like senseless units, to carry
out the will of their superior officers. The gentle-
man in front asks how many commanding gen-
erals we have. Perhaps he will try to compare
our single general to our Chief of Police. Had he
been on the committee, and heard the testimony
given by the Chiet of Police, perhaps he would n't
have made th> j comparison. The Chief is a com-
mander only in name. We had a Fire Depart-
ment governed on this plan, and when the test
came at the great fire it tailed absolutely,
as was shown by the very protracted investiga-
tion made after the fire, and which resulted in
the establishment of the Fire Commission. As
my colleague says, the time to discuss the details
of this measure is when the ordinance to establish
the commission comes before us, and the matter
to be discussed then will be whether there shall be
one or tw.> or three men. But the subject to dis-
cuss now is whether we should obtain authority to
take the department out of the hands of the Board
of Aldermen and put it in charge of men with a
fixed tenure of office, which would enable them to
act independently of men who are mean enough
to let personal prejudice influence their votes.
There have been and there will be
such men in the City Council, and it is the
part of wise men to consider that human nature
is not perfect, and provide for such things. This
order is merely a step in the direction to which
the City Government has been pressed for years
past. The present Mayor was not the first to
suggest it. It was suggested by mayors in the
past. It was suggested by the Mayor, was re-
ferred to the committee, who called before tbem
the officers in charge of the police force, and their
testimony was unqualifiedly in favor of putting
the department in the hands of a body of men
having a fixed tenure of office; and your
committee recommend that you authorize
the Mayor to petition the Legislature to
give you the power to discuss it. When
that is obtained the ultimate question must come
up, but now you are only taking a step in the
road which you must sooner or later follow. It is
not the part of wisdom to delay and block the
course of progress by querulous complaints. Our
proper duty is to control the purse strings of this
city; and when we remember that that purse
contains annually some ten millions of dol-
lars, I think gentlemen will see that we will have
enough to do it we carefully examine the ac-
counts of the departments, criticise their action
and refuse unnecessary appropriations when they
ask for them. In that way we will have a just
and wise administration of the law, and that is
what the citizens of Boston desire.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 — The gentleman from
Ward 9 seems to speak very strongly of the neces-
sity of this commission. I have yet to learn of
any great abuse in the Police Department. I have
yet to learn that the Chief of Police has not power
to act in any emergency as tar as the Police De-
partment is concerned. What the Chief of Police
may have said I know not. But the idea that has
been forced upon us here is that we ought to
place this term of office upon a longer
time. Now, what is it ? If we are going
to elect a Board of Aldermen, three men
can be selected as a committee, and we
have a Mayor at the head of the police. If they
cannot do the busiuess when they are elected for
only one year, why not make their term three or five
years, and if possible keep these people from bick-
ering and going around and talking, and saying it is
none of their business. The very theory of our
Government is that it is for the people and by the
people; each man is a citizen and has his voice in
it; he may not do it in a gentlemanly man-
ner; he may not be an educated man;
and a man hindering public affairs. At
the same time what do we accept those
positions for, except for these three purposes? I
do not like this long term. I have nothing to say
59
COMMON COUNCIL.
against the present boards ol commissioners;
they may have worker! very well. 1 have no ob-
jection to their way ol dothg business; but I do
object id the principle of it— the appointing
power, this taking away of power so far from the
people. Now, I wish to talk about this thing just
exactly as it appears to me, and then to try and
keep this power as near the people as possible. If
the citizens cannot elect representatives who will
perform their duties, then our Government is a
sham and a mistake; if we are not capable of
electiug a man every year, why did some of us
make such an effort last year when we opposed
the last Government? It 18 said that it a man is
put in there as a commissioner, two-thirds of
the City Council can remove him tor cause; but
what is the use of commencing a thing it there is
to be so much trouble about getting rid of it? I
have no doui^t there are abuses and trouble in
the Police Department, but I believe they have
got along very well since 1870. The police force has
freatly Increased with the growth of the city,
am not suspicious about commissions. I am not
afraid to go to the Legislature and get this power.
I admit that it is but a small item ot S80U0 or $9000
a year for salaries of the commissioners, but it is
an expense ot $15,000 or S'20,000 a year, because
you create a sort of bureau, with clerks and as-
sistants. This is a very economical year, and it is
proposed to cut down appropriations. Still, if
there was any other way, and the abuses are
proved to be ot sufficient magnitude. 1 should not
hesitate to vote lor the commission; but I don'tsee
them at the present tune, and in my opinion there
is no necessity for it It maybe great trouble to
his Honor the Mayor to appoint men upon the
police force; the petitions are received and laid
upon file and are taken out as The men are wanted
and placed before the Police Committee, who ex-
amine them and report to the Hoard ot Aldermen,
and the men are confirmed. I don't believe that
the members of this city Council Softer with a
great deal of overwork, and as [ don't believe in
commissions I sba' n't vote tor them until some
more cause is shown than I have heard.
Mr. Spenceley ol Ward 19 — Tbisjinatter seems to
have taken a great deal of time of the Committee
on Ordinances, who ha ve found out the ideas ol
the community generally and the Chief of Police
in particular. Therefore 1 move to lay it on the
table, so as to give time to members of the Coun-
cil to investigate the merits and demerits of the
question.
Mr Sibley— I hope that motion will not prevail.
It is pretty near the end of the Time for present-
ing petitions to the Legislature. As There can be
no new business introduced after the end of this
month. I hope the motion will not prevail.
Mr. Thompson— The gentleman from Ward 6 is
so fair in his dealing with this matter that I
•would like to ask two questions which, perhaps,
he has not considered. "Did ne read the remarks
of the Chairman of The Committee on Ordinances
in the Board of Aldermen, who said that the
Chief of Police—
Mr. Spenceley (tailed Mr. Thompson to order,
the motion being to lay on the table
The President — Debate is allowed tor ten min-
utes, and each speaker is eonfiued to three min-
utes.
Mr. Thompson— If the gentleman will not inter-
rupt me, be will save time. The Chief of Police
said that in his opinion the discipline gained by
governing the police, by a commission would dis-
pense with enough patrolmen to pay the salaries
of the commissioners. Furthermore, I would ask
if the gentleman remembers that the present or-
der asks for the Consolidation ot the License
Commission and the Police Department. At
present the License Commissioners are perform-
ing duties which should be performed by the
police. This is one of the things we shall gain. I
should like to ask bid) one other question, be-
cause I think this subject is one that divides
men's opinions honestly, because it is thought
that it is intended to put the power away from
the people. If the Mayor is elected annually,
is n't he as near the people as Common Council-
men are who are elected annually"
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— Then why not elect the
Mayor for a longer time, ir you apply the princi-
ple to the commissioners? That is the question.
Why not apply it equally to the Mayor, Aldermen
and Common Council? Hut I say that if we give
the Mayor the appointing power, and we elect a
bad man tor Mayor he will appoint men to suit
himself, and we confirm them or not. We all know
the influence brought to bear. We don't know the
men and cannot raise an objection. We tried last
year to deleat one man's confirmation, and got
most gloriously whipped. But I say keep the
term shorter, i have no prejudice against Com
missions. It the City Council see fit to elect men
for three years I might vote tor it.
.Mr. Colby <>t Ward 18—1 shall be very bappv to
discuss the real question upon its merits it that
opportunity is ever granted. I am very glad to
hear the gentleman from Ward 5 confess tbar be
is not speaking upon the question really before
Us. The only question that we are to discuss to-
night, as I understand it, is whether or not we
shall petition the Legislature for an act authoriz-
ing us to establish a police commission ; and when
the act is passed then the question will properly
come before us. Having been upon the committee
before when this question was heard and discussed
at some length, I must say now that I am in favor
of such a commission, and I hope we shall peti-
tion the Legislature fdr an act authorizing us to
create one; and if we do not want it we can
settle the question when we have the authority
from the Legislature. It certainly can do no hariii
to petition for this authority ; we need not use it
unless we wish to.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 hope the motion of
the gentleman from Ward 19 will prevail,
and The subject be laid upon the table.
The Committee on Ordinances, the chair-
man especially, says this is a very important sub-
ject, and thai there are two sides" to it, and that it
should receive a thorough investigation and dis-
cussion. Now they have the advantage on their
side of baving beard the evidence, and l take it
for granted that they are all in tavor ot the com-
mission. 1 certainly hrve not heard the evi-
dence, and I do not propose to vote for ir, until
we get some more light upon it. They tell us
they have had the Chief and the Deputy Chief
before them, anil that those officers in their wis-
dom recommend obtaining liberty to establish
tins commission Hut the committee utterly
tailed to give us any evidence o. the necessity of
establishing the police commission, and we have
to take their word for it, which is the only proof.
A gentleman on The committee says this is no
time, to discuss this question ; that it is merely
a question of applying tor the power, and when
the power i- granted, the question can
be discussed. That is all very nice, but
it is a trap to catch something, and I hope the
Council will nor be caught by it. I don't care
whether you call it a commission or not; 1 am
satisfied that it is in fact intended to take away
powers that the City Council have had ever since
the present form ot government was established;
and unless they show good reasons for commis-
sions, I propose to vote against it myself, and
against going to the Legislature for authority
to establish tbem. One of the committee
on Ordinances says that Mayor Prince, as well as
.Mayor I'ierce, favors the Police Commission. I
do not know the meaning of that, but 1 don't
care whether Prince or Pierce favor it. I don't
propose to go to them ana get wisdom upon the
question; I am here to represent the views ot a
certain portion of the citizens of this city, and 1
am nor in lavor of the commission. The
gentleman from Ward 9 [Mr. Crocker] tells
us something about people goiutr down
to Faneuil Hall, and casting their votes.
All I have to say is that, if the act re-
cently proposed pass the Legislature, there
will lie room enough left for all the voters to get
into Faneuil Hall, as it compels men to pay a
poll tax of $2 and adils a large percentage "for
interest tor the time they remain unpaid. The
gentleman from Ward 9 [Mr. Thompson] speaks
of the Fire Department being in its palmiest days,
and of the investigation that was held
ot the tire. I guess he was absent from
the city at the time, but I should like
to ask him if be could tell what conclusion that
commission arrived at. A great many people
have tried to find out their conclusion, but they
have failed. He says it is taking away the duties
of the License Commissioners. Hut we may have
a prohibitory law, and of what use then will the
License Commissioners be? I don't think that ar-
gument will hold good. The License Commission
will not be established till the first of
May ; we have an able commission work-
ing at starvation prices, and if we have
a good commission next year, we can afford to
retain them at a fair salary, and keeps the pres
ent Police Committee in charge of that depart-
ment. I hope the motion to lay upon the table
FEB KU A K Y 14
187S
60
will prevail^ so that we may get some light. I
am not afraid of the commission if there is any
reason for it. The committee have all the facts,
and why not let us have some.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11— I hope that motion
will not prevail, and that the order will pass.
Mr. Spenceley raised the point of order that the
time for debate had expired, which the President
said was correct.
On motion of Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16, the yeas
and nays were ordered and the order was laid on
the table — yeas 36, nays 34.
Yeas— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Day, Denny,
Delvin, Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, Mc-
G-abey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen,
O'Connor, Roach, Roberts. Rosnosky, Santry,
Spenceley, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Toppan, Which-
er, Wilson, Woolley— 36.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Coe, O 1-
by, Crocker, Danfortb, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hol-
lis, Howland, Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Pearl, Per-
ham, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Richard-
son, Rust, E.H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson, H. N.
Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith, J. F.
Taylor, Thompson, Ward, Webster, Wolcott, Wy-
man— 34.
Absent or not voting— Mr. Pierce— 1.
[The subject was considered again, later iu the
session.]
CLERK OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
The order to allow and pay $1150 a year as sal-
ary for clerk of Park Commissioners, from April
1, 1877, was considered under unfinished business
and was passed. Sent up.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC GROUNDS.
The election of a Superintendent of Common
and Public Grounds came up as unfinished busi-
ness. A ballot was ordered. Committee — Messrs.
Barnard of Ward 24, Smith of Ward 9, Rosnosky
of Ward 16.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 asked for some in-
formation as to the status the matter, urging
a postponement until after the action of the Al-
dermen who laid it on the table; but the President
ruled that the election came up as unfinished
business.
A motion to reconsider the vote to proceed to
ballot, by Mr. Sawyer of Ward 24, was lost— 29
for, 38 against.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24 presented a petition
signed by Abbott Lawrence, George B. Emerson,
Wendell Phillips and others, in favor of a change
in Superintendent of the Common.
Mr. Thompson desired to make some remarks
on the subject, but the President said a ballot had
been ordered, and discussion could not be had.
Mr. Thompson asked consent, but Mr. McGara-
gle objected.
The ballot resulted as follows :
Whole number of votes ...70
Necessary for a choice 36
John Galvin had 30
William Doogue 26
Hermann Grund el 10
Augustus P. Calder 2
Alexander Greenlaw 1
Osborne Howes, Jr 1
And there was no choice.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved to lay the elec-
tion on the table for the present.
Declared carried. Mr. Kelley of Ward 6 doubt-
the vote; and on motion of Mr. Burke of Ward 2
the yeas and nays were ordered.
The motion to lay on the table was lost— yeas 30,
nays 39:
Yeas — Messrs. Brown, Colby, Crocker, Dan-
forth, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hollis, Howland
Lovering, McDonald, Mowry, Nason, Perham,
Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Richardson,
Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Thompson, Toppan,
Ward, Webster, Whicher, Wilson, Wolcott,
Wyman — 37.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Barry, Brawley, B.
Brintnall, N. Y. Brintnall, Burke, Clapp, Coe, Cox,
Day, Denny, Devlin, Doherty, Drynan, Fernald,
Flynn, Ke'lley, Kendricken, Kidney, Lauten,
McGahey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mul-
len, O'Connor, Pearl, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry,
Shepard, Sibley, Smith. J. F. Taylor, J.Taylor,
Thorndike, Woolley— 38
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Cannon, Pierce,
Spenceley— 3.
Mr. McGaragle moved to proceed to a second
ballot.
Mr. Thompson — I am very glad I have an oppor-
tunity to make some remarks upon this question
before we proceed to a ballot. I don't know that
they will be of very great importance to other
minds ; but they have very considerable weight
and influence with me. Last year it became
necessary, in consequence of an application by
the Committee on Common and Squares, for an
additional appropriation to make an investigation
into the management of that department. Those
who were here and are familiar with that
investigation must certainly have got the impres-
sion that the department had been managed in
the past in as loose a manner as possible. I made
an examination of the pay rolls of that depart-
ment, and I say here that those pay rolls were a
disgrace to the City Government.
Mr. Kelley of Ward 6—1 rise to a point of order.
The question before the house is whether we shall
proceed to the election of Superintendent of Pub-
lic Grounds, and I don't believe it is the duty of
this Council to run over the proceedings of last
year.
The President ruled that discussion of the merits
of candidates was in order.
Mr. Thompson — I examined the pay rolls of
that department last year, and I repeat it,
that they were a disgrace to any department,
and to any city which permits them. I told
the chairman of the Committee on Common on
the part of the Council that I had been
investigating them, and he said he had never been
able to find out anything about them. I found
that while the committee limited the Superin-
tendent to the employment of 140 men a month,
that for a time he averaged 200 men. I think 1
am right in saying 200. While I wouldn't state
that positively, it is a very much larger number of
men than he was limited to by his committee.
He kept this up for two months at least, and he
was in excess of his limit for three or four
months. The consequence was his department ex-
pended their appropriation long befere the year
was out, and tbey were forced to come here iu
consequence of that and other causes, to ask for
an additional appropriation. It transpired in the
investigation that the Superintendent of Common
and Squares kept a regular ledger account with
members of the City Council, and credited each one
with so many men, and if a member got beyond a
certainnumber of men, he was stopped. That is to
say, he was making his department a political
roost. Now, however nice it may be to get our
man on, yet as trustees of the City Government,
we cannot help seeing that it is n't the way to
od business. The testimony came before the
committee of some of the most reputable citi-
zens of Boston, an>l it was admitted by the
Superintendent, that men were employed in
that department who were utterly worthless
and unfit for the place. The testimony was
that there were three or four, and even
more than that number of times more
men employed in doing the work than there
should have been. Now, is a man worthy of your
ballots for reelection who, from weakness of
character and willingness to aid his friends, will
conduct a department in that way? 1 hope the
new members will give a chance for a. comparison
with the present Superintendent by putting in a
new man, who can show whether or not the Com-
mon and squares of this city can be run for a
much lower sum than they have cost in the past.
I have no doubt there are many members of last
year's City Government who would be glad to re-
peat and reecho what I say, and uree upon the
new members to rally in purifying the administra-
tion of this department of the City Government.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19— Was a committee ap-
pointed to investigate these matters last year?
Mr. Thomnson — A committee was appointed to
investigate the expenditures caused by the grad-
ing around the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.
The matters to which I referrea came out inci-
dentally in the course of that investigation, but
they were not investigated.
Mr. Brawley— Were any charges made against
the Superintendentlast year?
Mr. Thompson — They were not investigated, but
they were substantiated by the investigations of
the committee.
Mr. Brawley — Will the gentleman, instead of
giving us these various charges, give us the con-
clusions arrived at by the committee after investi-
gating this case?
Mr. Thompson — The committee did not inves-
tigate them and did not make any report upon
them.
61
COMMON COUNCIL,
Mr. Brawley— Do I understand that the charges
to which we have just listened emanated from
the gentleman from Ward !)'.'
Mr. Thompson — The charges I now make are
based upon evidence which came out incidentally
in the course ot that investigation. We all knew
that the investigation, although confined by the
order to narrow bounds, took a wi:ie range and a
great many matters came out in the evidence
which were not considered by the committee in
making their report.
Mr. Brawley— When those charges came out
was any action taken upon them by the last City
Council ?
Mr. Thompsou— If the gentleman will ask me
questions with some point to them Twill answer
them. The records show all that.
.Mr. Brawley— The only object in asking these
questions was to find out what authority the gen-
tleman had lor making the assertion. If I under-
stand this matter correctly there were some seri-
ous charges made against the Superintendent last
year, and a committee was appointed to invee
tigate them: and since then I can learn—
Mr. Thompson— Allow me to correct the gentle-
man. No committee was appointed to investigate
charges against the Superintendent of Common;
but a committee was appointed to investigate the
Committee on Common and Squares.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2— I had the honor of serv-
ing upon that Committee of Investigation, and
whereas the chairman on the part of the Council is
a member of tins City Government, 1 think that,
as a member of that committee, it is my duty to
l few words in relation to that report as far
as my memory enables me to at the present time.
The gentleman from Ward 9 says that the report
was iu some decree a censure of Mr. Galvin.
If that was sci I must confess that I was
mistaken in it. 1 have not a copy ot that
report here, but I think upon examination it will
be found that throughout the whole investiga-
tion Mr. Galvin was thoroughly examined and
Cross-examined, and I think he was thoroughly
investigated; audit I apprehend the meaning ol
that report, it censured certain gentlemen on
the committee, but none who wen? members of
the past City Government, and that it took all
the blame from .Mr. Galvin. There was a strong
effort made by members of the City Council
last year who are members this yoar,
to implicate Mr. Galvin, and make it ap-
pear that his department was run in a very loose
and extravagant manner. 1 think that was what
gave rise to that investigation, and I think the
first and main object of it was to implicate Mr.
Galvin as a man unfit for that place; while I think
the result of that investigation will show that he
attended to his duties, and did all that was his
duty to do, ami nothing else. I think the record
of the committee and the testimony of the then
honorable chairman of the Board of Aldermen,
who is a highly respectable citizen in Boston,
certainly clears Mr. Galvin in regard to that de-
partment. Previous to this discussion this even-
ing, the gentleman from Ward i) insinuated that
members of this City Council allowed their preju-
dices to influence their votes. I tlid not see fit to
answer the question at the time, but I will say
now that I don't know of auy gentleman here who
has allowed his votes to be influenced by his
prejudice, and I think the gentleman from Ward
9 is the only one whom I can conceive by his ac-
tion as having done so.
Mr. Barry ot Ward 22— A.8 the gentleman from
Ward 9 has seen fit to call the attention of the
new members of the Council to some transactions
in regard to the Superintendent of Common last
year, I desire to call the attention of the same
gentleman to the inconsistency of the remarks
of the gentleman from Ward 9 at one of the last
meetings of the last year and his remarks this
evening. The question was upon taking from the
table the order for the removal of the Superin-
tendent of Public Grounds, and I read as follows
from the minutes:
"Mr. Thompson of Ward 9— After carefully read-
ing the evidence before the Investigating Com-
mittee, I do not believe there was any cause for
the removal of the Superintendent. I believe he
was exculpated from a large part of the blame iu
the transaction investigated. So far as blame
could be imputed to him, it was for weakness in
giving way to the pressure from members of the
City Government. The greater part of the blame
rests upon the system. As I offered the original
motion, it is due to the City Forester that I make
this statement. 1 hope it will be indefinitely post-
poned."
Now, sir. I want to know the difference between
the City Forester of that time and the City For-
ester of today. He is the same identical man. If
the same was wrong then, which perhaps I do
not deny, will the gentleman turn his efforts to
reform the system and not to removing the man
who, the report of the same investigating com-
mittee said, was not to blame. The gentleman
admitted it then, and I would like to know what
new evidence he has obtained. It he presents
any new evidence to show that the Superinten-
dent is inefficient, he ought to present it. and not
rely upon that old report, from which he admit-
ted that there was not sufficient evidence to i e-
inove the man.
Mr. Thompson— 1 thank the gentleman for read-
ing just what he has read, because it will help me
bling this question clearly before the presenr
Council. The investigation grew out of the fol-
lowing tacts: The committee en that department
having expended their appropriation, came to this
Council and asked tor an increase. In making a
statement of the reasons that led to asking lor
the additional appropriation, the chairman ot the
committee on the part of the Council made such a
statement that upon the lace ot it it appeared to
me that the Superintendent of Common and
Squares ought to be removed. I thereupon put
in an order that the Superintendent of Com-
mon and Squares be "removed for cause,
and moved its reference to an investigat-
ing committee. That order was laid on
the table and the gentleman from Cbarles-
town offered an order for a committee to investi-
gate the reasons for an additional appropriation,
and whether or not any neglect ot duty had oc-
curred in that department. The investigation oc-
curred on thai order, and, as 1 said, it took a
pretty wide range. At tunes it was directed
largely to the purchase of certain plants ; at other
times to the contract for supplying the city with
flowers. Now, that is one point with which the
Superintendent has some connection, and it
should be known here. It appeared ;:-. a
fact that the city wanted seven or eight
thousand dollars' worth of peculiar kinds of
plants everv soring, to enable the Superintendent
to make his be. Is; and it also appeared that no
general knowledge was given out in the fall as to
what kind of plants would be wanted: lint in the
spring the committee were informed by Mr. Gal-
vin what kind of plants he wanted, hast year a
sub-committee was appointed, and a gentleman
went out to the greenhouse of Calvin' Brothers,
and told them to let the Superintendent have as
many flowers as he wanted; and I think it
was In evidence that he didn't know the
price at all. The City Forester knew- the
spirit of the statute that no officer ot the City
Government shall be interested directly or indi-
rectly in furnishing supplies to the city: but
knowing that, he did furnish plants to the city in
Che name of his sons, because he and his sons are
practically the same. As one result of the in\ es-
timation the committee recommended the pas-
sage of an ordinance making it the duty of the
Committee on Common to advertise in the fall,
naming the number and quality of flowers wanted
in the spring.
Mr. Sibley— The gentleman says that Mr. Calvin
and his sons are one. Where is the evidence'.'
Has he evidence, or is it inference'.'
Air. Thompson— The evidence was obtained in a
conversation with .Mr. Galvin, in which he re-
ferred to the greenhouse as his greenhouse. He
spoke of the employment of men upon the Com-
mon unfit ami incapable ot doing auy service, at
$1.78 a day, while he employed capable men in his
greenhoti8t for $1.26 a day. During the investiga-
tion Mr. Calvin was asked, Why do you allow
your committee to do thus and so? And
he replied that he had nothing to do with
it. Mr. Galvin is employed by the city to super-
intend that department; he is the responsible
head, is responsible to the City Council, and he
cannot conscientiously say that he had nothing to
do with it. As the responsible head ot the de-
partment, it was his business, wheu he saw any-
thing wrong, to protest, and have his protest en-
tered upon the records of his committee. Noth-
ing of that kind occurred. He allowed this loose
manner of doing business to go on, and he aided
it in the selection of laborers. Referring to that
matter, the Investigating Committee said—
"The manner in which laborers are procured to
work on the Common and Public Garden (through
FEBRUARY 14, 1878
62
the 'influence' or by the recommendation of mem-
bers of the City Council) is an unqualified nui-
sance and wrong: it has grown up, under our sys-
tem of government, but it is bad in every particu-
lar, — bad for the Alderman or Common Council-
man who is put to the inconvenience of begging
or demanding the situation sought for; bad for
the laborer who gets and holds his situation only
through the favor of the Aldermau or Common
Councilman ; and bad for the city who has to pay
for the services of a person sometimes ill-quali-
fied tor the work, to be changed in a tew weeks
for anocher still less qualified. Let it be abolished !
The city needs in this department a permanent
body of men, trained to the work."
Now I will tell the result of my own investiga-
tion, which can be confirmed by any member of
this City Government who wishes to, by calling at
the Auditor's office and asking to see the monthly
pay rolls and adding the number of days' work
and the number of men together, he can find the
average of each man's work.
Mr. Brawley— I would like to ask the gentleman
a question.
Mr. Thompson— I will not give way. The gen-
tleman can say what he has to say when I get
through. These men were employed largely in
excess of the number allowed by the committee:
they were kept at work six or seven days and
then discharged, were kept floating back and
forth, aud were not retained long enough to learn
to do anything as it should be done; they were a
charge on the City Treasury, aud the result of the
abuse was that the committee were forced to the
humiliation of coming to this City Government to
get money to carry on the department. When such
a man as that is at the head of the department, I
ask the gentleman from Ward 22, in all candor, if
I have said one word different from what I said
last year. I said then that they had not sustained
the charges made ou the night I moved the refer-
ence of an order for his removal, and that he
ought not to be removed for cause, but that he
was to blame for his weakness in giving way to
political pressure. I say that now; and when the
matter comes up de novo for an election, I say
that the evidence is too strong to be disregarded,
and ought to control the honest!vote of every man
here, 1 wish this thing could be put off, because I
understood that the Committee on Common and
Squares had agreed upon a report recommending
that the department be put in charge of the Park
Commission, and that it was to have been pre-
sented in a few weeks. I was sorry to see this
matter of an election forced upon us, for in a
week or two we might consider the proposed
change. This is undoubtedly an attempt
on the part of this man and an army
of devoted friends— and I know of no man who
has more devoted friends — to push him upon the
city for another year. The action of the Board
of Aldermen in putting it upon the table was
wise, and our action "in taking it up is un-
wise; but since it has been forced upon us, I hope
we shall rebuke it by electing a man to run that
department as cheaply as possible.
[Applause in the galleries, which the President
checked.!
Mr. Barry of Ward 22— The gentleman asks me
whether he is talking different from what he said
last year. I am not a lawyer, and according to a
legal consideration there may not be; but accord-
ing to a grammatical construction there is — alter
the onslaught which he has made tonight, I should
say there is a difference.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 don't know that I
am classed among the strong friends of the Su-
perintendent of Common, or that we shall depre-
ciate the interests of the city of Boston by elect-
ing him again. This matter has come up in the
regular course, and has been laid on the table m
the Board of Aldermen. It comes up here as un-
finished business, and in the regular order the
gentleman brings in all the cha.rges against
the Superintendent of Common. You might
as well take his word tor it as to
go looking after the true cause; you
could not hud it. There is no reason why we
should not go into an election. The gentleman
has his opinion and I have mine, and if we were
all of one mind there would not be any need of
our coming to the City Council. The only charge
he makes is that last fall, when labor was scarce
and people were out of employment, the Su-
perintendent employed a great many men at
a dollar and seventy-five cents a day. That
was an alarming price, aud that is what
sticks in the gentleman's crop. Last fall
the gentleman went down into my ward,
and spent a whole evening denouncing the Super-
intendent for his extravagance in employing men
for $1.75, when other corporations were paying
but $1.25. That fact would make me vote tor him
rather than vote against him.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19—1 arose a few moments
ago to ask of the gentleman from Ward 9 a few
questions, merely for information. I have no
personal knowledge of either of the candi-
dates for Superintendent of Common and Pub-
lic Grounds. I looked over the report of
the Investigating Committee and the remarks
of the gentleman in the Council last year; and
after listening to his remarks a few minutes ago,
it is very difficult for any member here to judge
what is true, or whether there is any truth in
either of the statements. There being no point to
my questions was probably due to my mistaking
the investigation of the committee for that of the
Superintendent having in charge the Common
and public grounds, aud that is a mistake
which any new member might possibly make.
From the evidence, I supposed that the
committee were Dot investigating the Com-
mittee on Common, but that they were investi-
gating the Superintendent. Furthprmore, I know
that serious charges were made against the super-
intendent and that they were not substantiated.
The gentleman says we could go down to the
Auditor's office and examine the pay rolls. For
the benefit of the members of this Council I wish to
state that I went to the Auditor's office, and asked
for the pay rolls, and was refused. The only infor-
mation I could get was the amount of money paid,
the number of men and the price per day. I was
in there, and asked one of the clerks, and he said
they would not give me the information. They
said I would have to come back in halt an hour.
Now, there must be a mistake. Either the clerk
in the Auditor's office or the gentleman from
Ward 9 is mistaken. I have heard those charges
made, and knowing the fact of the investiga-
tion, I endeavored to ascertain the facts. If
the gentleman from AVard 9 can give to
a new member of the Council proof that
the charges which he makes are true, of course I
cannot possibly vote for the gentleman who was
Superintendent last year. But I must say that a
simple statement is not positive proof.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9— If the gentleman and
enougu of his associates will vote to continue this
matter one week from tonight, I will give iny
positive proof from the pay roll ot the employment
of these men. That is the gravamen of my charge.
The gentleman's experierce is unfortunate.
If he will come with me this week I will take him
and get those pay rolls, and go through with
them and convince him or the truth of every word
I have said. .
Mr. Brawley ot Ward 19— The gentlemen repre-
senting AVard 19 are the peei s of any gentlemen in
this Council, and if the gentlemen' from Ward 19
cannot go to the Auditor's office and get those
pay rolls, I should like to know why the gentle-
man from Ward 9 should assume to take "the re-
sponsibility of showing them to the gentlemen
from Ward 19.
Mr. Thompson— The gentleman misunderstood
me. I should consider it a very great favor for
the gentleman to go with me under those circum-
stances. I only desire to get the facts. I am
sony my remark should have been misconstrued
by the gentleman; they were not so intended.
Unless the Auditor has adopted some new rules,
any member of the City Council can look at all
the papers and records in the Auditor's office; and
if not, they can go there by authority of an order
of this Council. "The gentleman and! can go to-
gether and get those facts.
On motion of Air. Danforth of Ward 10. the sub-
ject was specially assigned to next Thursday
evening at nine o'clock, to give old and new mem-
bers time to get at the facts— 39 for, 31 against.
The President— The Chair will take this oppor-
tunity to remind gentlemen in the galleries that
applause or any other disturbance will not be
permitted during the session of the Council. The
dignity of the Council shall be maintained.
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
63
COMMON COUNCIL,
also alluded to Mr. Barnard's statement at the
previous meeting about one objectionable As-ist-
aut Assessor wlio was forced upon Ward 24 last
year, which he thought was a humiliating state-
ment for Mr. 15. to make.
Mr. Harnard repeated the statement made at
tin- previous meeting, anil said that seven-eighths
of the residents ot ward 24 would indorse it.
On motion of Mr. Coe, the yeas and nays were
ordered, and the reconsideration prevailed— yeas
35, nays 34.
Yeas — Messrs. Barry, Brawley, li. Brintnall, N.
■\ . Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty, Drynan, Fernald. Flyun. Kelley, Ken-
dncken, Kidney, Lauten, McDonald, McGahey,
McOaragle. McOeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Pearl, Roach, Rosnosky, Sibley, J. F. Taylor,
J. Tavlor, Tborndike, Toppan, Wliicher, Wilson,
Woolley- :;:>.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp,Coe,Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Htil-
lis, Howland, Lovering, Mown, Nason, l'erhaiu,
Plimpton, .1. K. Richardson, M. W. Richardsnn.
Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, 0. tt. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer. Shepard, Smith, Spenee-
ley, Thompson, Ward, Webster, Wolcott, Wy-
man— 84.
A hseut or not voting— Messrs. Pierce, Santry— 2.
On motion ot Mr. McOaragle the order was re-
ferred to the Committee on Assessors' Depart-
ment. Sent up.
NUISANCE IN CHABJ I STOWN.
On motion of Mr. Sibley ot Ward 5, the Council
took up the special assignment for x.'iO P. M., via. :
Order to petition lor an act to abate a public
nuisance in Charlestown by rilling the territory
northerly from Kastern Railroad, and westerly
from (anal stieet.
The President read a report from the Board of
Health in response to the order of Feb. 12, seating
that an approximate of the cost of abating the
nuisance was as follows:
To fill the mill pond and Hats adjoining to a point
where the Fltcnburg Railroad crosses it—
To grade 4 would require 313.000 vds. at 55c, #172,180
<! " " 646.000 " " 300.300
8 " " 838.000 " " 366,900
10 " " 1. 130.000 " " 621,500
The Board is not prepared to say to what extent
tbe filling to the lower grade would mitigate the
nuisance, but in their opinion grade ten is the
lowest that would effectually abate it. SeDt up.
The question was on the passage of the order.
Mr. Mo wry of Ward 11— A week ago 1 asked to
delay in order that I might investigate the mer-
its ot this question and ascertain whether, in my
opinion, we should pass this order or not. Since
then I have examined it, so far as circumstances
and time will permit, and can come to no other
conclusion than that the Council should not pass
the order. In the first place, I think the Board of
Health already have ample and sufficient powers
to abate this nuisance, and that it is im-
politic to go to the General Court for
further legislation. The board asked for
the petition for an act upon the theory
that it is necessary to till this large area of land to
grade ten. There are three methods by which
this nuisance can be abated, either one of which
will be atterded with insignificant expense com-
pared with what this tilling to grade ten would
cost. I claim that by the removal of the tide
water from this vast area the sun would act as a
disinfectant upon the land, and practically abate
the nuisance for tbe time being. In the second
place, this nuisance will be practically abated by
tilling upon this area to the depth of two or three
feet. The third, or best method, is to erecta dam
at the point through which tide water passes and
keep the area flooded with water. In this
way the area will be practically covered with
sweet water, if I may use such an expression, and
the nuisance will be abated. [Mr. Mowry ex-
plained the location of the nuisance from a map
on the wall.] If a dam were inserted, the Fitch-
burg road and the city would have the means of
keeping this vast area covered with pure water,
and it seems to experts that this nuisance would
be abated. The expense ot the dam will not be
over .$2500 and the expense of a sewer to deep
water, if necessary, about $10,000. The Fitcbburg
road have already made an appropriation for till-
ing their part of this area with one or two feet of
gravel, if it is required, and to ask tor additional
legislation would be unwise.
Mr. Sibley— I think the gentleman has stated
tbe circumstances very fairly. No one denies
that the nuisance exists; the question is how to
abateit it does n't seem to me there will be any
danger of getting an act for the city to have a
lien upon the land. The committee and Board of
Health last, year did all in their power, and this
question of the displacement of tide water stag-
gers the Board ot Health. The Board say the
dam can be erected, but then come- the Question
of tide water. They thought it best to ask for
this legislation.
Mr. Mowry— The board deny the right of the
Harbor Commissioner* to any damages for dis-
placement of tide water.
On motion of Mr. Sibley, the yeas and nays
were ordered on the passage of the order.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 asked Mr. Mowry if
be thought there was a nuisance there requiring
abatement by the city authorities.
Mr. Mowry— ] admit that there is a nuisance,
but I think it has been grossly exaggerated. I
claim that the entire nuisance can be abated by
the erection of this dam and covering the area
with water. That is the opinion of experts.
Mr. Day ol Ward 4— I desire to correct a mis-
take that the gentleman from Ward 10 has made,
that the upper territory is also covered with sew-
age, and the large sewer that makes a way down
across those flats is tbe sewer from Somerville,
and the whole territory is covered by the flowage
from that sewer. If the dam is built across theie,
would not the question of tide water coming into
it be just as much as if the territory were filled '.'
Mr. Mowry— In regard tothis matter of the Som-
erville se ver, it has been admitted by competent
persons and by legal gentlemen that Somerville
has no legal rights to flow sewage there,
and if this area is flowed by water, that the
water will be retained there and that Som-
erville will be compelled to drain somewhere
else. They have no right to drain into it, is my
opinion, after a more careful examination".
Mi . Richardson of Ward 10— I would ask the
gentleman it a nuisance does not exist there
which requires some action of the city authorities
to abate it, and I understand him to answer the
question affirmatively. 1 do not know anything
about the question. Now I teel that it would not
be any harm to obtain the act from the
Legislature to give the city a lien up-
on land filled, and to exempt the city
from payment of damages tor tte dis-
placement of title water. I understand from
the Board of Health that tbe work is necessary to
be done for the permanent abatement df the
nuisance, and that it is so large they don't and
will not desire to undertake it without some legal
power and authority other than they now have.
If a nuisance existed anywhere upon private
property the owner could be complained of and
the nuisance abated, and the property sold for
the cost; but in this case we are dealing with
a bankrupt corporation, and no process of crim-
inal law would be effectual. I understand that it
will cost nothing to get this act, and it may be
necessary. The power for the Board of Health to
effectually abats this nuisance should be beyond
question and peradventure.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11.— This matter has
already been decided by the Supreme Court,
which took the ground that municipalities are
not liable for damages lor the displacement
of tide-water in abating a nuisance. This
going to the Legislature is on the theory that
it is necessary to spend six or seven thousand
dollars. The gentleman very well knows that any
bill presented at the State House by the city of
Boston may be changed, and that should large
corporations owning seven-eighths of the area
in question appear, they would be likely to have
an interest in the framing of the bill. I claim the
nuisance can be abated at much less expense, and
that there is ample power to do so. Allow me for
one moment to read from section 15 of the act of
1878:
"At the time and place appointed for the hear-
ing, the Board of Health or health officer shall
bear the parties, and after such hearing may
cause such nuisance to be abated, according to
his or their discretion; and for that purpose may
enter and make such excavations, embankments
and drains upon any lands, and under and across
any streets and ways, as may be necessary for
such abatement. They shall also determine in
what manner and at whose expense the improve-
ments made shall be kept in repair, and shall esti-
mate and award the amount of damage sustained
by and benefit accruing to any person by reason
of such improvements, and what proportion of
FEBRUARY 1<£. 18 7 8.
64
the expense of making and keeping the same in
repair shall be borne by the city or town arid by
any person benefited thereby. The damages so
awarded shall be paid by the city or town, and
there shall be assessed to the several persons
benefited by such improvements, his proportion-
ate part, to be ascertained as before provided, of
the expense of making and keeping in repair such
improvements, and the same shall be included in
the next city or town taxes of such persons, and
shall be a lien upon the real estate benefited
thereby, and be collected in the same manner as
other taxes upon real estate, and shall be liable
to abatement as other taxes now are."
Those are the provisions of the nuisance act
which was passed for the purpose of abating nui-
sances caused by wet lands, and it seems to me
there is no necessity for further legislation.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I don't desire to
enter into a controversy. I understand that the
Board of Health have declined to enter upon this
work under the present law. Any gentleman can
see that it is useless to assess the Eastern Rail-
road for tne cost of filling. Circumstances alter
cases and law suits very materially, and it seems
to me that the safest plan is to obtain the addi-
tional legislation.
Mr. Mowry— The city has a lien upon the land
that is filled.
Mr. Richardson— On land under tide water?
Mr. Mowry— They propose to fill to grade ten, and
then they would have a lien upon it.
Mr. McGaragle — I find that I opposed this mat-
ter under a misapprehension. It has been de-
clared a nuisance, and I never so understood it
before. I think we had better wait before we en-
ter upon an expenditure of over $600,000.
Mr. Day — The gentlemen assume that the ex-
pense will be borne by the city. It has been de-
clared a nuisance, and if the owners do not fill,
the Board of Health can do it at their expense,
If this state of things existed in Ward 11 it would
have been abated years ago.
Mr. Richardson said he believed the city should
do all it can to avoid lawsuits, which is the object
of this act.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley ,"tbe main question
Avas ordered.
The order was passed— yeas 33, nays 32:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Barry, Brown, B. Brint-
nall, N. Y. Brintnail, Cannon, Clapp, Coe, Colby,
Dantorth, Day, Devlin, Fernald, Flynn,Ham, Hib-
bard, Hollis, Howland, Kelley, Kidney, Lauten,
Lovering, McGahey, Pearl, Perham, J. B. Richard-
son, Roberts, Sibley, Spenceley, Thorndike, Top-
pan, Ward, Webster— 33.
Nays — Messrs. Hill, Kendricken, McGaragle,
McGeough, Mowry, Mullen, Nason, O'Connor,
Plimpton, M. W. Richardson, Roach, Rust, E. H.
Sampson, O. H. Sampson, H. N. Sawyer, N. Saw-
yer, Smith, J. Taylor, Whicher, Wilson, Wolcott,
Wyman- 22.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Brawley. Burke,
Cox, Crocker, Denny, Doherty, Drynan, McDon-
ald, Mullane, Pierce, Rosnosky, Santry, Shepard,
J. F. Taylor, Thompson, Woolley— 16.
Sent up.
Mr. Kelley moved to adjourn. Lost.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
By Mr. Spenceley— Of Charles Russell Lowell
Post, for leave to decorate Army and Navy Monu-
ment on Decoration Day. Sent up.
A petition was received from Lawrence Welby
J'or postponement of election of SuDeriutendent
of Streets. Indefinitely postponed on motion of
Mr. Day.
By Mr. Sawyer of Ward 18— Of J. Q. A. Haugh-
ton for compensation for injuries from defective
street. Referred to Committee on Claims.
By Mr. Colby of Ward 18— Of Cornelius Lyncb
for damages by defect in street. Referred to
Committee on Claims.
Of Isaac S. Reed, for abatement of tax. Re-
ferred to Committee on Assessors' Department.
By Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— Of Thomas
Brown, for compensation for injuries by defect in
Chardon street. Referred to Committee on
Claims.
By Mr. Brawley of Ward 19- Of Michael Kelley
et al., for lamps on Rockingham place.
Severally sent up.
SCHOOLS.
Requests were received from the School Com-
mittee, for repairs in Chapman Schoolhouse and
for suitable accommodations for East Boston
Branch High School. Referred to Committee on
Public Instruction. Sent up.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3 submitted a report from
Committee on Public Library recommending the
passage of an order — That his Honor the Mayor
be requested to petition the General Court at its
present session for the passage of an act incor-
porating the Trustees of the Public Library of the
city of Boston. Read twice and passed. Sent up.
BACK BAY PARK.
Mr. Sampscn of Ward 17 submitted a report
from the Finance Committee with an order— That
the Auditor of Accounts be, and he is hereby, au-
thorized to transfer from the Reserved Fund to
the appropriation for Public Park, Back Bay, the
sum of $16,000. to be set apart for the payment
for additional land to be purchased by the Park
Commissioners for the Back Bay Park.
Read once.
HEREFORD STREET.
Mr. Perham of Ward 23 submitted a report from
the Joint Committee on Streets, recommending
the passage of the resolve and order for the ex-
tension of Hereford street, at an adjudged cost of
$33,337.51.
The resolve and order were passed to a second
reading.
In reply to Mr. Richardson of Ward 10, Mr. Per-
ham said the street was needed for the line
of the improved sewerage.
Mr. Sampson corroborated the statement.
The resolve and order were passed. Sent up.
FIRST ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 submitted a report
from the Committee on Assessors' Department,
recommending the election of the following-
named persons for First Assistant Assessors: Wil-
liam J. Ellis, Joseph Robbins, George S. Pender-
gast, William B. Long, Nahum Chapin, William
M. Starrett, Michael Carney, John A. McLaugh-
lin, Edward Riley, John Brown, Thomas J. An-
derson, Horace Loring, Emerson Coolidge, Dudley
Pray, Joseph L. Drew, Francis James, Joseph R.
Gross, Thomas Leavitt, Charles R. Hunt, Theoph-
ilus Burr, William B. Smart, G. F. Williams, L.
Foster Morse, A. J. Brown, J. H. Griegs, George
A. Comins, Gideon Walker, C. E. Temple, John
Pierce, Henry Pierce, Charles Nowell, Richard B.
Smart, and William A. Wheeler. Report accept-
ed in concurrence. Sent up. The nominations
were laid over under the rules.
POLICE AND LICENSE COMMISSION.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved to take from
the table the report and order in regard to peti-
tion for License and Police Commission.
Mr. McGaragle moved to adjourn.
Declared carried ; vote doubted by Messrs Web-
ster of Ward 3 and Crocker of Ward 9, and yeas
and nays ordered on motion of Mr. Sampson of
Ward 13.
Yeas— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnail,
N. Y. Brintnail, Burke, Cannon, Devlin, Doherty,
Fernald, Flynn, Kelley, Kidney, Lauten, Lover-
ing, McDonald, McGahey, McGaragle, McGeough,
Mullen, Pearl, Roach, Roberts, Rosnosky,
Spenceley, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Toppan, Wool-
ley— 28.
Nays — Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Coe,
Colby, Crocker, Dantorth, Ham, Hibbard, Hill,
Hollis, Howland, Kendricken, Mowry, Nason,
Perham, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W.
Richardson, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Samp-
son, H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley,
Smith, J. F. Taylor, Ward, Webster, Wilson,
Wolcott, Wyman— 33.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Cox, Day, Denny,
Drynan, Mullane, O'Connor, Pierce, Santry,
Thompson, Whicher— 10.
Mr. Sampson said his reason for making the
motion was the short time allowed for presenting
petitions to the General Court.
Mr. Barry said this was the time to discuss it,
and the Legislature will receive any petition
from the city.
Mr. McGaragle moved to assign to next meet-
ing.
The motiou to take from the table was declared
carried. Mr. Spenceley doubted the vote and on
his motion the yeas and nays were ordered. The
motion prevailed— yeas 31, nays 29:
Yeas — Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Coe,
Colby, Crocker, Danforth, Ham, Hibbard, Hill.
Hollis, Howland, Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Per-
ham, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Rich,
ardson, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, J. F.
Taylor, Ward, Webster. Wolcott, Wyman -35.
65
COMMON COUNCIL
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley. B. Brintnall, X-
Y. Briutnall, Burke, Cannon, Devlin, Doherty,
Fernald, Flynn, Kelley, Kendricken, Kidney,
Lovering, McGahey, McU-aragle, McGeough,
Mullen, Pearl, Roach, Rosnosky. Sibley, Spence-
ley, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Toppan, Whicher. Wil-
son, Wool'ley— 29.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Cox, Day, Den-
ny, Drynau, McDonald, Mullane, O'Connor,
Pierce, Roberts, Santry, Thompson— II.
Mr. Rosuosky of Ward 16 moved to adjourn.
Mr. Barry called for the yeas and nays.
The President— The Chair decides that motion
out of order, as it is dilatory.
The motion to adjourn was declared carried.
Mr. Crocker doubted the vote, and called for the
yeas and nays.
The President— The Chair thinks that it is dila
tory.
The motion to adjourn was carried by a divi-
sion— 31 for. 30 against— and the President declared
the Council adjourned.
66
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceeding's of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY 18, 1878.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. M.. Alder-
man Stebbins, Chairman, presiding.
JURORS DRAWN.
Six traverse jurors were drawn for the January
term of the Superior Court, Urn session.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To the Committee on l'avin>j. C. J. Speuceley
et al., that West Walnut park, Ward 23, be graded
and put in order for public travel; Asa P. Potter
et al-, that Fairfield street, between Common-
wealth avenue and Boylston street, be put in order
tor travel; John Conuess et al.. that River street,
Ward 24, be put in order for travel.
To the Committee on Common, etc. T. A.
Splaiue, for leave to place boats upon the Public-
Garden Pond.
To the Committee on Sewers. C. W. Stevens, et
al., for a sewer in Cottage street, Charlestown.
To the Committee <>» Licenses. Robinson &
Enierton, to run two passenger wagons from Hay-
market square to Rowe's and Litchfield's wharves;
George W. Calef for leave to run two excursion
wagons from Bowdoin square through certain
streets to Rowe's, Litchfield and India wharves
and return : Colman & Wellington, for leave to
run two passenger wagons from Bowdoin square
to Rowe's wbart.
To the Committee on Health on the part of the
Board. Petition for leave to occupy stables by
Oakes Ames, new wooden, one horse, Clapp street,
Ward 15; Mary Jane Wood, new wooden, one
horse, 834-836 Albany street; C. L. Smith, old brick
building, thirty horses, 99-101 West Canton street;
Nason & Littlefipld, new wooden, seven horses,
118, 120 and 122 Medtord street; A. Klaeger, new
wooden, one horse, Longwood avenue, rear 112;
Samuel G. Reed, old wooden, two cows and one
horse, Phillips street.
To Committee to Nominate Inspector of Light-
en. Redmond Cookey, for appointment as a
Weigher and Inspector of Lighters.
To the Committee on Lamps. Michael Kelly et
al., tor lamps m Rockingham place; William H.
Bangs, Jr., et at., that Sawyer avenue, Dorches-
ter, be lighted.
To the Committee on Police. A. E. Alden, for
leave to suspend a canvas sign at 503 Washington
street.
To the Joint Committee on Claims. H. P. Tal-
lant, tor compensation tor injury to property and
damage caused by location of smallpox hospital
at Marcella-street Almshouse.
To the Boston Hater Board. Frederick Pease
et al., tor larger water pipes in the territory in
East Boston between Saratoga and Monmouth
streets.
I.YNN & BOSTON RAILROAD.
A hearing was had on the petition of the Lynn
& Boston Railroad Company for leave to run cars
from Haymarket square on Washington street,
through Temple place and Tremont street.
W. W. Warren appeared for the petitioners and
C. A. Richards for the Metropolitan Railroad Co.
Mr. Warren said there were petitions of citizens
and ladies of Chelsea and business firms in Bos-
ton in aid of this petition. The company ask
to run only five cars per hour over this route;
they carry about 1000 passengers per day. It is
presented to accommodate the residents of Chel-
sea who feel that they ought to be carried farther
to the business portion of the city.
Mr. Breed, President of the company, corrobo-
rated what Mr. Warren said in regard to the de-
mand for the accommodation.
Alderman Hayden oresented petitions in aid
signed by W. H. Hart and 163 citizens of Chelsea
doing business in Boston; Jordan, Marsh & Co.
and 109 business firms on Washington street,
Temple place and Tremont street; 163 citizens of
Chelsea doing business in Boston; George C. Boy-
den and 94 citizens of Chelsea and patrons of the
road; Mrs. Levi Slade and 312 ladies of Chelsea.
Mayor Stebbins of Chelsea said he appeared at
the urgent request of a large number of his con-
stituents who desired the accommodation of being
brought nearer the centre of business in Boston.
The road had been operated seventeen years, and
had never troubled the Mayor and Aldermen but
once before this.
Mr. Dix of Chelsea said the people of that city
would greatly appreciate the accommodation, and
it is really a necessity. They had talked of the
matter tor tour or five years, and had brought a
pressure upon the company. He had heard it
estimated that 10,000 persons pass back and forth
between the two cities every day. Ladies and
children prefer the cars to the ferry.
Alderman Tenney of Chelsea thought the ad-
dition of five cars per hour would not hinder pub-
lic travel.
Ex-Alderman Roberts of Chelsea said it would be
a great convenience not only to ladies, but to busi-
ness men who now walk from steam-railroad depots
and ferry. He had tried the Metropolitan Rail-
road, but the trip was too long for a business man.
[To Mr. Richards.] — It takes from ten minutes to
a half hour longer by the Metropolitan Railroad,
which has been a benefit to Chelsea, having
caused the other road to reduce fares. The strong
objection of ladies is to changing at the ferries.
Mr. Warren said he had a long list of witnesses,
but would not take up the time r,f the Board by
cumulative evidence.
Mr. Richards, President of the Metropolitan
Railroad Company, said he appeared in no spirit
of opposition excepi to protect the interest of his
own road, over whose tracks the petitioners de-
sire to run cars. He read section 12, chapter 29 of
the general horse railroad laws, to show that the
petitioners had to prove that public necessity and
convenience demand this location. He could
bring any number of petitions in favor of allow-
ing auy extra accommodation the Metropolitan
Railroad Company might ask lor. The petition-
ers ask to run cars over the "disputed ground,''
the most crowded part of the city, the relief of
which was provided lor last year by laying the ad-
ditional track in a portion of Washington street.
The Metropolitan had been driven about far
enouehfrom their own tracks and business. This
is a modest petition for five cars an hour; but
if the gate is once opened, the result will
be the same as in that of tne Middlesex road,
there will be twelve cars an hour asked for. The
gate went up, and you can't get it down with
squeezing under it eighteen cars full of Charles-
town. If this petition is granted, he predicted
that the company would be here a year hence
with a petition for twelve cars an hour. He pro-
tested "against these out-of-town roads coming
into the city on the track of and taking business
from the Metropolitan road. In a short time, the
Metropolitan will make as quick time from Chel-
sea as the Lynn & Boston does now. Abutters on
Washington street feel that 141 cars an hour are
enough, and he predicted that that street would
soon be as much crowded as Tremont street. The
Cambridge road wants to kill off Mr. Stiles's
omnibus line. The Lynn & Boston road would
never have thought of this petition had not the
Metropolitan road run its cars to Chelsea.
Mr. Warren, in closing the case for the petition-
ers, asked the Board to look at the question in a
light different from that of corporate rights.
Horse railroads were created as a means of pro-
moting the use of highways in the interest of pub-
lic convenience and necessity. Highways are not
laid out for the use of the residents of any one
city or town, but tor the general public. Avery
large majority of the people in Chelsea do busi-
ness in Boston, help pay its taxes, and contribute
to its prosperity ; and they are to be considered
just as much the residents of the city proper.
Very many empty cars run on the circuit during
the day, but he would no say that any company ran
more cars than were necessary, merely to occupj
the streets. There are thickly-settled sections in
all directions from City Hall; and rhe fact is that
the streets have been occupied by cars accommo-
dating residents from only one or two of these
outlying districts. The duty of the Board is to
deal out the accommodations equally for all; they
should not discriminate against any one section,
and should equalize the use of the highways.
This is a simple case; the petitions represent the
most respectable people in Chelsea, and the only
opposition is from the Metropolitan road, who
wish to protect what they term their chartered
rights ; but the duty of the Board is to make each
company perform its duty as a servant of the
public.
The petition was recommitted to the Committee
on Paving, on motion of Alderman Whidden.
FEBRUARY 18, 1878.
67
METROPOLITAN RAILROAD.
A hearing was given on the petition of the
Metropolitan Railroad Company, for additions to
its tracks on Boylston and Clarendon streets.
Mr. Richards explained that it was to make
quicker tiine on the Back Bay line.
Newton Talbot opposed the double track in
Clarendon street, as the people could be conven-
ienced l>y a track in other streets. This new track
will necessitate the paving of the street by the
city, whereas the present pavement would last
several years. The company would consult their
own convenience by taking a track in Berkeley or
Dartmouth street.
Mr. Richards said there were formidable ob-
jections to laying; a track in Dartmouth street.
The company had tracks in other macadamized
streets, and the paving between the tracks need
not necessitate the paving of the whole street.
He did not expect to meet so formidable an oppo
nent as the chairman of the Street Commission-
ers.
Mr. Talbot said he lived on Clarendon street,
and appeared as an abutter, and not as chairman
of the Board of Street Commissioners. The Dart-
mouth-street route would give better accommoda-
tions to the patrons of the road.
The petition was recommitted to the Committee
on Paving.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.
Inspector of Provisions, Faneuil Hall Market
— George E. McKay. Continued.
Inspector of Provisions and Superintendent of
Faneuil Hail— John H. Terry. Laid over for one
week, on motion of Alderman Viles, who said this
was a new man and he desired time to investigate.
Superintendent of Printing, for three years —
George Coolidge. Confirmed by ballot — 11 tor,
against. Sent down.
Special Police Officers— Joseph G. Stark, Jr.
and William Beck. Confirmed.
Weigher of Coal— Jeremiah J. Callahan. Con-
firmed.
Funeral Undertaker— Alexis Alexander and sev-
eral others (reappointments). Confirmed.
PETITION FOR STEAM ENGINE.
A petition was received from H. M. Richards &
Co., for license to erect and use a steam engine at
14 Cbardon street, and an order of notice was
passed for a hearing thereon on Monday, March
11, at 4 P.M.
HARBOR MASTER.
The report and order to accept chapter 64 of the
acts of 1802 (See Statutes and Ordinances, page
360, section 24) was considered under unfinished
business.
Alderman Viles — 1 regret that the Alderman
who offered that report and order is absent, but
in his absence I will endeavor to explain it to the
Board. The committee met to consider the ex-
pediency of consolidating the Harbor Master's
boat, the police boat and the tire boat. We first
considered the fire boat, and had before us the
chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners,
Captain Chamberlin, and he utterly proiest-
ed against hampering the fire boat, with
any duties other than those that she has
now. He demonstrated that by her work at
two fires during the past two months
she had more than paid for herself. He
demonstrated her usefulness so satisfactorily that
the committee were satisfied on that score. We
next considered the police boat, and the Chief
of Police testified that she traversed the harbor
and protected millions of property, and that in
case of fires on the water front she responded to
the alarms and played two powerful streams. He
showed that at the last fire in Charlestown she
more than paid for herself. Last summer she re-
covered two bodies from drowning, and in the
summer season she has often been called upon to
quell disturbances on excursions in the harbor.
We also had the Harbor Master before us. Cap-
tain Cates is the most efficient Harbor Master we
have had for several years; he is active, energetic
and industrious. But the Chief and the Captain of
Police Station 8 said that they could do all the
auty that the Harbor Master does ; that the police
boat traverses the harbor, going over the same
route that the Harbor Master does. That they
have three nautical men on board, and that the
duties of Harbor Master can be performed by the
Harbor Police without an extra farthing's cost to
the city. In the face and eyes of those facts
the committee thought that the only thing
that the city could do was to accept the
act passed in 1862 and appoint the Captain of
the police boat as Harbor Master. He can be ap-
pointed Harbor Master without pav, and the du-
ties could be performed without extra expense.
I am not familiar with the duties of Harbor Mas-
ter, and perhaps the Alderman irom Charlestown,
who is chairman of the committee, can explain
them; but the committee thought it most wise to
report as they did.
Alderman McLean— Do I understand that the
Harbor Master and the Captain of Police are to
work in unison ?
Alderman Viles— The duties of the offices are to
be consolidated, and the Captain of the police
boat could be appointed Harbor Master without
pay. The first duty of the city, the City Solicitor
said, is to accept this act.
Alderman McLean— I am entirely in favor of
consolidation, and I believe in accepting the act
of 1862 which provides that —
"The Harbor Master of the port of Boston shall
hereafter be appointed by the Mayor and Alder-
men of the city of Boston instead of the City
Council of said city; and he shall continue to
have all the powers and be subject to all the
duties, liabilities and obligations which now ap-
peitain by law to the said office."
Alderman Wnidden — If I understand this, it is
only the acceptance of the act at the present time.
Alderman Viles — That is all.
The Chairman — The Harbor Master is now elect-
ed by the City Council, and if the order is adopt-
ed he will be appointed by the Mayor and con-
firmed by the Board of Aldermen.
The order was passed. Sent down.
CHARLES RIVER FLATS.
The report and order for Mayor to petition the
Legislature for an act to cede the Charles River
flats in rear of Beacon and Charles streets to the
city were considered under Unfinished business.
Alderman Guild — I made some explanation with
regard to this order at the last meeting of the
Board, and have had opportunities since then to
explain it to some of the msmbers; and I merely
wish to say at this time that this petition to the
Legislature of Massachusetts is simply for the
purpose of obtaining these flats for sanitary pur-
poses. While they remain in the possession of the
State of Massachusetts, the city is perpetually
menaced with an attempt that may be made by
the State to utilize the property for its own
profit. Of course it is very natural that
those who are legislating for the pecuniary
prosperity of the State to look in every direc-
tion where that utility can be forwarded;
but at the present time there is a feeling
that whatever can be done to advance the sani-
tary condition of the capital of the State should
be done. I beg to say that, so far as I am con-
cerned at present in advocating this order, it is
purely for these reasons. The necessity for
the preservation of this open space was
more especially developed by the Park Com
missioners, who looked in that direction for a
park, and the danger which would arise from the
tilling up of the State flats was brought more con-
spicuously to the attention of the citizens of Bos-
ton, and therefore this course of action was
thought to be necessary. If gentlemen will cast
their eyes over this map, they will see a green
line, which indicates a space of about two hun-
dred feet from the line, which is in rhe rear of
Charles and Beacon streets. This two hundred
feet and outwards is what the Mayor desires in
his recommendation to the City Council the city
should petition for the Legislature of Massachu-
setts to cede to the city of Boston. The flats
which belong to the State come up very near to
the line of what is now the extreme line at the
rear of Beacon and Charles streets; and attempts
have already been made by parties who desire to
improve that territory for their own business or
speculative purposes, to endeavor to have the
State grant them that privilege. I have in my
hand a slip cut irom a paper a short time since,
which records a vote that —
"On motion of Mr. Bird of Walpole, that the
Committee on Public Lands inquiie and report
whether any, and if so what, portion of the Com-
lnonwealth'fiats in the Charles River basin, north
of Beacon street, can properly be tilled, what
would be the cost of such tilling, and what would
be the probable value of said fiats when tilled,
and generally what will be the best method of
filling and disposing of the same for the best in-
terests of the Ccmmonwealth."
I have here another map which may be suggest-
ive to the gentlemen of the Board as to the neces-
68
BOARD OF ALDERMEJN
sity of keeping those flats open for the sanitary
condition of the city. The green space we petition
to have ceded to the city is shown by a line run-
ning up close to the city of Boston as near as
possible; then it leaves an open space; and it is
proposed to utilize this open space on the other
side, and therefore it will leave only a small nar-
row open estuary as it were of Charles River
runuing between, and which I need not call your
attention, as practical business men, that any
such movement as this woula so materially im-
pair the value of taxable property as to almost
ruin and entirely change the character of that
part of the city. That is the only open frontage
■we have now wlieie a good and' unimpaired cur-
rent of Iresh air can come in. 1 am informed
that it has been learned at the State House that
the Commonwealth are disposed favorably to deal
with the city at this time. Certainly it cat; do us
no harm to ask for this, if there is a reasonable
hope of getting it. I therefore advocate this
order in "good faith, aud hope the Board will
warrant the Mayor in making this petition.
alderman McLean— I cannot allow this to n
without entering my protest against it. While
the chairman of the committee says it all in
faith, so far as he is concerned, I am willing to
accept this explanation. Bur 1 think this is a
matter we oueht not to take hold of. It. would be
a very expensive thing even though the State
should give us this L:rant without charge. It is not
to be presumed that il this is given to us the city
of Boston will be allowed to let it remain there
without improvement. The gentleman says there
is no expense attached to this order. That is all
very well. But every member of the Board knows
that an extravagant scheme for parks lias been
put before the city, and in order to carry it out a
sop has lit en thrown to every other section of the
city where there is any extensive population. I
am" willing to accept and develop, as soon as we
can afford to, the scheme for a Hack Hay park,
although I don't believe we can afford to do so
just now or in tii" immediate future; bur so far as
I am concei tied 1 am willing to put aside so much
every year as the city can afford to be taxed for
to improve it. lint, 1 do not want any more public
debt created tor parks. This '200 teet around that
portion of the city is a part of the schemes which
have been presented, and there will be a pressure
to have it improved. I did have a lew notes
upon this matter, hut I left them at home;
but I take some figures from the speech
of Alderman Burrage, which I believe to be
correct. The commissioners estimate that this
very land would cost solO.000. It is hardly to be
supposed that the State would give us 8510,000.
Now the cost of tilling to grade seventeen is esti-
mated at SI, 477,1 (iO; and then the cost of the sea
wall, about which I had the honor to ask the
Alderman at the last meeting, I rind that will lie
14,520 leet, at S150 per runuing loot, §2,178,000,
making in all $4,135,160, The Alderman took oc-
casion to say that nothing of this kind was asked
for at all.
Alderman Guild— It is not asked for at all.
Alderman McLean— That is so; but I have a
right to assume that it will be in the future. If
this graut is obtained from the State there are in-
terested parties who will drive the city to
an expenditure of two millions and a half atleast,
for an expensive sea wall around those flats. The
Park Commissioners have not taken into consid-
eration the water rights of those people owning
property there, which must cause a large
expenditure in addition to this park. While I am
as anxious for parks as any one, provided they
cost us nothing, or they come within our means,
at present the burdens already imposed upon our
people are sucb that I am opposed to placing
such a one upon them, and I must vote against
anything that squints at any extravagance in the
future. I am sure that just as soon as this is ob-
tained, the public mind will be worked up so that
we shall be called upon to make large expendi-
tures for the development of this little strip of
flats. When we are able to pay for it we can get
it and pay for it. By asking tor this tract I don't
want to commit the city of Boston to the develop-
ment of this thing. 1 had hoped that this Board
would look at this matter deliberately. It is very
easy to ask for something that costs us nothing
at first, but which will cost a very large amount
in the future. We shall have all the water there is
today, even if the State should not give us this
grant. I confess that I am imperfectly prepared
to oppose this thing; nevertheless I feel that it is
a step we ought not to take, even if it costs us
nothing. You remember that l'oor Richard said,
"Anything is dear that we do not need, even if it
costs nothing."
Alderman l' aunce — I am not prepared to make
a speech upon this matter; it is not in my line.
We want those flats to prevent the putting of a
wall there, as I understand, so that we will have
that water park open, so that we shall not be
called upon to spend the sum the Alderman has
named . We do not propose, by this order, to buy
a loot of land ; ami what we ask for comprises a
very large portion of the land that they want to
put a wall upon. 1 agree with the Alderman that
we don't want a wall there. There is a large open
water-front— what we want is to prevent the
State from building it up and making
busine-s streets tor the railroads. The
gentleman says that a pressure may be brought
to bear in the future, we are not responsible for
that. My object is to keep that water-front open.
Alderman McLean — Does the gentleman expect
the State to grant this without some condition as
to its improvement?
Alderman Faunce— If the State does n't grant it
without conditions we need n't accept it.
Alderman Whidden— I should like very much
for the city to have control of that strip of land:
but, as the Alderman on my left has said, it is an
opening for something else. Unquestionably that
Strip of laud does not embrace all that is included
in the park scheme, but to make it what it is in-
tended to be in the future, it will have to cover
a part of this territory which is laid out.
I believe in the propriety of beautify-
ing Boston and taking care of any waste
places that may be around the city and
making it not only unobjectionable, but attractive
and healthy; but 1 cannot agree with the neces-
sity for borrowing money at the present time,
for the city has about reached the limit of its
power for creating indebtedness. I am a little
puzzled to know how to vote upon it, and to be
sure, I think 1 shall vote against it. I know
from my own knowledge, and from all the
Circumstances attending the park movement,
that this boule\ a rd is as much desired as the pres-
ent Back Bay purchase; audit these flats are ob-
tained, 1 have n't the leastdoubt but that a move-
ment will be made to improve it in that direction;
and therefore I shall object to it.
Alderman McLean called for the yeas and nays,
and the order was passed— yeas 7, nays 4:
Yeas— Aldermen Faunce, Guild, Harris, Hayden.
Slade, Stebbins, Whiton— 7.
N'avs — Aldermen McLean, Robinson. Yiles,
Whidden— 4.
It down.
IXLAKKOl.- I'APEHS FROM Till: COMMON
0O1 (TOIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Requests from School Committee for certain re-
pairs on the Chapman Schoolhouse, and for suita-
ble accommodations for the East Boston branch
of the Girls' High School. Referred to the Com-
mittee on Public Instruction in concurrence.
The order to consider the expediency of allow-
ing the Principal Assessors to appoint their sec-
ond assistants came up referred to the Committee
on the Assessors' Department. Concurred.
Report and order lor Mayor to petition Legisla-
ture ior the incorporation ot the Trustees of the
Boston Public Library. Order passed in concur-
rence.
Report and order to fix the salary of the clerk
of the Park Commissioners at S1150 per annum.
Order passed in concurrence.
Report Of Board ol Health on subject of peti-
tion lor an act giving the city authority to fill the
.Mill Pond flats. Placed on file.
Order lor Mayor to petition for the authority
above recited. Passed in concurrence.
Report of Board of Health on estimated cost of
filling the Mill Pond flats. Placed on file.
II nn.li>i:li-si i;i i;i I \ i I \SION.
A report came up with resolve and order to ex-
tend Hereford street at an adjudged cost of
$33,337.50.
The question was upon the passage of the re-
solve and order in concurrence.
Alderman Whidden— I would like some infor-
mation upon the laying out of streets upon the
Back Bay. I hail an impression that those
streets were laid out by the State and the Water
Power Company. I don't understand why it is
that the city has to purchase these estates at tne
present time, and I would like to have It ex-
plained.
FEBRUARY 16
1878
69
Alderman Harris — Two objects are contem-
plated by this order. First, to carry out the plan
of the streets on the Back Bay which the com-
missioners desire to see executed; and second, to
facilitate the construction of the improved sew-
erage, so that it can go through this new street
and thousands of dollars be saved. That was the
manner in which it was presented to the Committee
on Streets, and 1 suppose the Alderman was fully
acquainted with the fact that it was for that pur-
pose more than any other, and that a portion of
the expense comes from the appropriation for
Improved Sewerage. The plan commended itself
to the committee, and they submitted it to the
City Council.
Alderman Whidden — That does n't reach the
point that I wanted to ascertain— why the city is
obliged to purchase land for a street there. I
had an impression that these streets were all laid
out by the State and the Water Power Company.
If this is a deviation from the original plan that
is another thing.
Alderman Harris — The gentleman labors under
a misapprehension. The Street Commissioners,
who are the most economical commission in City
Hall, have looked carefully into this matter.
Alderman McLean — Do I understand that the
whole of this is to be charged to the appropriation
for Streets? or whether one-half is to be paid
from the appropriation for Improved Sewer-
age ?
Alderman Harris — The sum named in the order
covers the entire expense. I cannot .state the ex-
act Droportion to be assumed by the Committee
on Improved Sewerage. It is neither a third nor a
half, but a proportionate sun, as 50 is to 125, I
think. 1 am informed that the price of a portion
of the land is $1.25 a foot, of which the Commit-
tee on Improved Sewerage pay fifty cents. For
another portion we pay $1 a foot, and the com-
mittee of which the gentleman is chairman as-
sumes one-half. What the exact figures will
amount to in dollars and cents I cannot tell.
Alderman Whidden — My question is whether
the State or the Water Power Company does not
contribute these streets, and whether the city is
not obliged to come in at this time ?nd buy those
streets which are supposed to be laid out by one or
the other of those parties or both.
Alderman Harris— This land belongs to neither
the Water Power Company nor the State. It be-
longs to private individuals.
Alderman Whidden — That answers the question.
The resolve and order were passed in concur-
rence with the Common Council and the Street
Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER.
The annual report of the City Engineer, (City
Document) was received. Sent down.
The following is a statement of the engineering
expenses from Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1, 1878:
Amount expended from de-
partment appropriation for
1876-7 §7,721.70
Amount expended from depart-
ment appropriation for ■
1877-8 16,602.25
Total expended from depart-
ment appropriations $24,323.95
Amount expended from special
and other appropriations 4,477.73
Total 828,801.68
Condition of department appropriation:
Amount of appropriation for financial vear
1877-8 $25,479.00
Amount expended to Jan. 1, 1878 16,602.25
Unexpended balance, Jan. 1, 1878 $8,876.75
The usual annual examination of all the bridges
within the city limits, open to team and foot
travel, has been made, and the results of this ex-
amination respecting the condition of the
bridges as to safety, and need of renewal or re-
pairs, are as follows:
As one result of this examination in connection
with the careful inspection of the Columbus-ave-
nue and Albany-street bridges, for which an ex-
cellent opportunity was afforded by the removal
of the first and the repairs made on the second
structure, it may be stated that, unless the iron
bridges over railroads are kept thoroughly paint-
ed, their destruction from the corrosive effects of
the soft-coal smoke from locomotives will be very
rapid. The city owns fourteen of these bridges,
and attention has been called in every annual re-
port of this department to the necessity of paint-
ing many, if not most, of those in existence at the
time; yet itis seldom, if ever, thoroughly done.
By thoroughly done, I mean that the portions of
the iron work below the floor or covered by the
wood work are not scraped and painted, as they
should be.
In the lower chords of the Albany-street bridge
trusses, plates of iron, originally one-fourth of an
inch thick, were found to have but one-half of
this thickness of sound iron, and the extent to
which this deterioration has proceeded on sur-
faces not accessible renders the actual strength
of the structure a matter of conjecture rather
than of reasonable certaintv. This bridge was
built in 1867; other iron bridges built later are in
many cases badly corroded, although not to the
extent of this one.
It has been stated in a former report, and I re-
peat it here as applying to all such bridges main-
tained by the city, "that as often as once in two
years, perhaps oftener, these bridges should be
stripped of their flooring, and the iron work be
thoroughly cleaned and painted."
Dartmouth-street Bridge. This bridge should
be rebuilt the present year. It has been strength-
ened and patched in various ways until it may be
said to be a combination of the various styles of
bridge construction. A great deal of the wood
work is very rotten, and it is impossible, without
taking the bridge wholly apart, to determine to
what extent its strength has been diminished.
The borings and data for designing a new struc-
ture at this point have been procured, and some
progress has been made on the plans, an order
having been given by a former Committee on
Paving to this department to prepare plans for
the rebuilding of the bridge. Cost of borings was
$ 186.75. Cost of repairs for the year, $156.99.
Dover-street Bridyc. This bridge was opened
for travel Jan. 29, 1877, it having been closed, on
account of rebuilding, since July 24, 1876. A gen-
eral description of the new structure was given in
the report of last vear; its total cost was $88,-
744.56.
A building containing an office, sleeping rooms
and a repair shop, has been erected on the wharf
built for this purpose, adjoining the pier; it cost
$1675.79.
A settlement has been effected with Mr. Win-
sor, the owner of a coal-run, which was taken
down by the city's agents at the time the bridge
was being rebuilt, and stored in a coal shed, where
it was destroyed by fire. The amount paid was
$650. The bridge is now in good condition ; ouly
ordinary repairs have been made. Total cost of
repairs was $763.28.
FIRST ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Early in the session, on motion of Alderman
Harris, the rule was suspended, and the Board
proceeded to the consideration of the report,
which came up among the papers from the other
branch, nominating First Assistant Assessors.
The report was accepted in concurrence, and an
election ordered. Committee— Aldermen Harris,
Hay den.
As the committee were about to collect the bal-
lots, Alderman Robinson moved areconsideration.
The question was put and declared lost. Alderman
McLean doubted the vote, and said the request
was a reasonable one. He had been compelled to
look over the lists of candidates very hastily, and
was not exactly satisfied with what he had seen.
He could stand the pressure a week longer, and
then do as he pleased when the trial comes to
vote.
Aldermen Guild opposed laying the matter over
for a week, but favored laying the election over
temporarily.
The reconsideration prevailed.
Subsequently, on motion of Alderman Robin-
son, the Board proceeded to an election. Com-
mittee—Aldermen Harris, Hayden. A recess was
taken, at the end of which the committee report-
ed the result as follows:
"Whole number of votes n
Necessary for a choice q
l Those marked with stars were elected.!
♦William J. Ellis n
Joseph Bobbins i
♦George S. Pendergast 11
♦William B. Long n
*Nahum Chapin .". n
♦William N. Starrett <i
♦Michael Carney 8
John A. McLaughlin 3
Edward Riley 5
♦John Brown 10
Thomas J. Anderson 4
♦Horace Loring 11
70
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Emerson Coolidge .">
Dudley Pray .".
•Joseph L. Drew 8
Francis James 5
'Joseph K. Grope l>
•Thomas Leavitt 11
♦Charles 1$. Hunting 8
'Theophilus Burr 10
'William B. Smart 10
►George !•'. Williams 10
*L. Foster Morse B
'Andrew J. Browne 11
'John H. Griggs 10
orge A. Coinins lo
•Gideon Walker 11
'Charles E. Temple 11
'John Pierce 11
'Hen rv Pierce 11
'Charles Nowell 11
►Richard B. Smart 11
•William A. Wheeler 11
•John 11. Duaiie 8
•Artemas R. Holden 10
'William H. Candy 9
.loii n Leahy 1
•John H. Giblin 10
•John McElroy 6
i lies E. Grant 8
W. G. Train 4
John Noble 4
Dennis Moore S
Phinehas B. Pierce 1
•Phinelias B. Smith 7
Qeorge Kingman 1
rge H. Kingman I
Sent clown.
BONDS W'1'U(>\ i:i).
The bonds of N illiani S. Post <t «L, constables,
being presented duly certified, were approved by
the Board.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows:
Minors' Applications Granted— Fifty newsboys.
Amusement License Granted— J. \V. C'adwell,
to give mesmeric exhibitions at Rochester Hall,
730 Washington street, for four weeks, commenc-
ing Feb. 18; S. Taylor, to give an athletic exhibi-
tion at Music Hall. March 11, under the supervi-
sion ot the poll c.
Auctioneer's License Refused— C. H. Starkey,
30 Cambridge street.
Victualler Licensed— Lucia A. Stewart, 80 Shaw-
mut avenue.
Dealer in Second-hand Articles Licensed— Mary
Jane Carlton, 61 Shawmut avenue.
Severally accepted.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Alderman Fannce submitted a report from the
Committee ou Public Lands, recommending the
passage of an order— That the Collector be and he
hereby is directed to cancel the bond numbering
52, in the Suffolk-Street district, the amount of
which is f3400, and given by Charles Reiiiliardt
for an estate on Middlesex street, Nov. 2<), 1868,
upon bis surrendering the agreement to convey
the same; and that the Superintendent ot Public
Lands be directed to issue a new agreement, with
all the conditions as set forth in the previous one,
upon the said Charles Keinhardt giving to the
city a bond in tin: sum oi $3M6.94, made payable
in "ten annual instalments, the fir.st instalment of
.94 to be paid upon the signing of said bond,
and nine annual instalments of $304 each, upon
the 18th day ot February ol each year, until the
full amount is paid, with interest at ti per cent.,
said bond to be dated Feb, 15, 1878. Read twice
and passed. Sent down.
MANAGEMENT OF THE I'l BLIC GROl Mis.
Alderman Guild submitted the following:
The Joint Standing Committee on Common anil
Public Grounds, to whom was referred so much
oi the address of his Honor the Mayor as relates
to placing the public pleasure grounds under the
Board ot Park Commissioners, having considered
the subject, would respectfully report as tollows:
The committee deem it for the best interests of
the city that the Common and public grounds
should be placed in charge of the Park Commis-
sioners. They believe that such a permanent
board (who will give their t'.me and best attention
to the subject) can administer the duties required
in a more efficient manner, anil that greater econo-
my can be secured in the expenses of the depart-
ment under said board than is possible under the
supervision ot a joint committee of the City
Council, which is, ot course, subject to radical
change in its membership every year. The Park
Commissioners are now intrusted with the pur-
chase and laying out of such parks as the
pur-
City
Council may from time to time make appropria-
tions lor, and the land for one such park has al-
ready been purchased and its immediate improve-
ment is now in contemplation. Your committee
are confident that in placing the Common and
public grounds also under the same authority
greater efficiency and economy will result to the
city than in having iwo heads for the manage-
ment of the public pleasure grounds, which in
their opinion should be consolidated into a single
department under the authority of one competent
board to whom both the City Council and the
public can look for a proper performance of
the duties required. In order that the proposed
changes maybe carried out, your committee re-
spectfully recommend the passage of the accom-
panying order :
Ordered, That the Committee on Ordinances be
requested to report an ordinance, or an amend-
ment to existing ordinances, transferring the care
of the Common and public grounds to the Board
of Park Commissioners.
Read once.
- i LBLES.
Alderman Yiles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health on the part of the Board
recommending that permits be granted to occupy
stables by Sewall A. F iiince, Beach street; A E.
McLaughlin. Centre street; S. L. Emery, Harley
street; D. H. McKay, Newport street. Severally
accepted.
SEWERS.
Alderman Viles, from the Committee on Sewers,
submitted an order— That there be abated from
the assessment levied upon Evelina A. Smith for
a sewer in Dorchester avenue, on account of over-
estimate of land ; also, that f 10.67 be abated from
the assessment levied upon John G. Day for a
sewer in School stieet ou account of overesti-
mate ot land.
\ ii.ir V BLR M LRKET.
Alderman Slade ottered an order— That three
members of this Board, with such as the Common
Council may join, be a committee to consider the
expediency ot purchasing the property known as
the "Mercantile Wharl Market." Passed, and Al-
dermen Slade, Viles and Harris were appointed on
said committee. Sent dov\ n.
MARKET.
Alderman Slade offered an order— That the Su-
perintendent of Faneuil Hall Markets be au-
thorized to employ, subject to the approval of the
Mayor, one deputy to assist him in the discharge
of the duties of his office. Read twice and passed.
PARK ON DARTMOl III AMD BOYLSTON STREETS.
Alderman Slade offered an order— That the
Committee on Common and Public Grounds be
authorized to confer, in behalf of the City Council,
with the Governor and Council of this Common-
wealth, tor the conveyance to the city ot the par-
cel of land on Dartmouth and Boylston streets,
referred to and described in chapter 195 of the
acts ol 1876, Pa<sed. Sent down.
i: as r BOSTON II RKI i
Alderman McLean submitted the following
from the Joint Committee on East Boston Fer-
ric-:
Report on request of Directors of the Ferries in
regard to purchase of a new ferry boat and sale of
the General Grant; recommending the passage of
orders, That the Board of Directors of Fast Bos-
ton Ferries be and it, is hereby authorized to con-
tract for a new ferry boat to be used on the East
Boston Fen v lines, the cost thereof not to exceed
the sum of % i:>,0()0; and, That the Board ot Direc-
tors of East Boston .Ferries be and it is hereby au-
thorized to sell by auction or private sale, as it
may deem best for the interest of the city, the
ferry boat General Grant, the proceeds of said
sale to be paid to the City Collector. Read once.
Report on order to consider the expediency of
requesting the Street Commissioners to lay out
the avenues from the ferry slips as public streets,
recommending the passage of an order — That the
Board of Street Commissioners be, and it is here-
by requested to lay out as public streets the ave-
nues leading from the ferry slips to Commercial
and Sumner streets. Read once.
Report on request of Directors of Ferries in re-
gard to contract for fuel, recommending the pas-
sage of an order— That the directors of East Bos-
ton Ferries be authorized to contract for the fuel
required for tbe Ferry Department during the
next financial year; the amount of said contract
FEB BXJ A Id Y 18
1878.
71
to be paid from the appropriation for the finan-
cial year 1878-79. Read once.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Whidden submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving:
Reports of leave to withdraw on petitions of
Leonard Ware et al., that Spear alley be repaved;
L. Woodbury & Co., to run a wire rope for the
transmission of power across Water street. Sev-
erally accepted.
Report that leave be granted M. Ellis & Co. to
move wooden building from 301 to rear 337 Lex-
ington street, Ward 1. Accepted.
Report that no action is necessary on petition
of Lawrence D. Welby et al., that the wages of
laborers in the Paving Department be increased.
Accepted.
Report of leave to withdraw on petition of Ed-
win R. Frost, to erect an illuminated clock upon
outer edge of sidewalk of 109-111 Devonshire
street.
Alderman Harris— I hope the committee will be
able to give some reason why they refuse to grant
a person liberty to place an illuminated clock in
the street. My idea is it will certainly be very
convenient to passers-by, and I fail to see that it
would cause any more obstruction than a simple
gas lamp will make. There may be some reasons
which induced the committee to report otherwise,
and I should like to hear them.
Alderman Whidden— The illuminated clock is
not to be an illuminated clock, and that is one of
the best reasons we can offer. It is simply a place
to light a cigar, and by opening a valve or door
to do so the time of day or night can be seen. The
committee concluded it would be of no benefit to
any one to enable them to see the time of day or
night, unless they wanted to light a cigar,
The report was accepted.
REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS FROM THE STREETS.
Alderman Whidden offered an order— That the
Chief of Police be directed to enforce the ordinance
now standing upon the records, in relation to ob-
structions in the streets of Boston, by prosecution
in court after due notice to those violating the
same.
Alderman Whidden— I will give a few reasons
why that order was introduced. A portion of
them have been drawn out by the petitions for
extending the lines of horse railroads. As every
member of the Board is aware, I presume, the or-
dinance in regard to horse cars is violated con-
tinually. They are run so close together that it is
impossible to get between them, aud I have no
doubt that if the police enforced the ordinance in
regard to the running of horse cars, a great deal
of the trouble would be abated and the
streets relieved very much. There are
other obstructions in the streets which
ought to be removed. There are hawkers and
riedlers and others who take up space in the
streets. There is one individual clown here who
stands in his coach selling books and collecting a
crowd , and there are other obstructions that
ought to be removed, aud I offer that order for
the purpose of giving those wno have a right to
pass through the streets a right to do so without
unnecessary obstruction.
Alderman Viles— I hope that will lie over one
week. It is a question of considerable impor-
tance. I will admit that there is considerable
nuisance down there in the square.
The order went over.
CAMBRIDGE BRIDGES.
Alderman Whidden offered an order— That his
Honor the Mayor be requested to petition the
Legislature to "relieve the city of Boston from
maintaining any portion of the West Boston ami
Craigie's bridges outside of the boundary line of
the city of Boston.
On motion of Alderman Whidden the order
took its second reading and was put upon its pas-
sage.
Alderman Harris— For one, I cannot vote for
that order tonight. The Alderman mentioned to
me the other day that he contemplated introduc-
ing such an order, but I have not had time to sat-
isfy myself as to the peculiar arrangements now
existing in regard to the maintenance of those
bridges, and I dislike to place Boston in any posi-
tion which we might regret. Therefore until I
know more of what is intended I cannot vote for
it. I know that this bridge question is a problem
for us to solve, and that there is more or less ex-
pense attending it; but still I maintain
that after all Boston must have avenues
for approach. We cannot afford to cut off
these bridges and approaches to the city, and
therefore we must meet the question. If there is
any bargain or understanding or arrangement, I
beiieve in abiding by it, the same as in the matter
of Chelsea Bridge. From the fact that the city
may lose in that matter, I don't think we ought to
resent it by cutting off Cambridge. Therefore T
cannot vote for it tonight.
Alderman Slade— I should like to have the Al-
derman tell us just how we stand in that respect
at the present time ; how much of the bridges we
support are in Cambridge, how it came about that
we are supporting them, and what reason he has
to think we can possibly get rid of it. We have
had a little trial on Chelsea Bridge and been beat-
en, and it seems to me we don't want to under-
take another one unless we have a pretty fair
show of being successful.
Alderman Whidden--As I understand the divi-
sion of West Boston Bridge at the present time,
the city of Boston maintains about three-fifths of
it, and about two-thirds of Craigie's Bridge. If
it is equity that the city of Boston should have a
portion of Chelsea Bridge foisted upon it to main-
tain, I don't see why the equity should n't apply
to these bridges. The divisions that have stood
up to the present time have all been made by able
commissioners and have been satisfactory, and no
complaints have been made until Chelsea comes
forward and petitions to be released from a cer-
tain portion to the boundary line. If it is equity
lor the Legislature to release Chelsea from main-
taining that portion which has been maintained
by Chelsea under the decision of the Legislature
by a commission, I see no reason why it should
n't apply to these bridges, and I offer the order in
that feeling.
Alderman McLean— What contract is there be-
tween the city of Boston and Cambridge? Can
the Alderman give that information ? There
might be conditions about that which would
induce me to vote for or against. I should like
to know how the contract came about, so far as
the two cities are concerned.
Alderman Whidden — It was settled by an act of
the Legislature to divide the cost of maintaining
those bridges.
Alderman McLean— Section 47 (page 79) says:
"Under the provisions of chapter 302 of the
acts of 1870, the Supreme Judicial Court ap-
pointed three commissioners to apportion and
assess upon the cities of Boston and Cambridge
the expense of maintaining and keeping in repair
West Boston and Cragie's, or Canal, bridges, and
to divide the funds belonging to said bridges be-
tween the two cities. The commissioners having
made their award, and the same having been ac-
cepted by the court, the city of Cambridge paid
over to the city of Boston, in compliance there-
with, the amount of funds apportioned there-
under; and the two cities then appointed, as fur-
ther provided in the act, one commissioner on the
part of each to have the care and management of
the bridges and draws."
I am not conversant with this thing, but I pre-
sume the purpose of this order is to get at the
action of the Legislature in relation to Chelsea
Bridge. The position I occupy is well known to
many Aldermen. I am favor of maintaining every
bridge that lies within the boundary line of Bos-
ton ; and if the Cambridge bridges are inside the
Cambridge boundaries, they should be main-
tained by that city, and that I conceive
to be a matter of equity, unless there is some con-
tract between the city of Boston and Cambridge, to
which we have given our assent. For instance, it
the city of Boston has not given its assent, and
has been compelled to do this thing, then I say I
am in favor of the spirit of the legislation of the
recent and remote past by which every town main-
tains its own bridges. Perhaps I may not be con-
versant with all the details of this question, and I
have been charged with not looking out for the
city's interests by maintaining that Chelcea and
Boston should maintain their own bridges; but I
believe that to be established by the spirit of
equity and legislation. In 1867 I happened to be
in this Board of Aldermen as Chairman of the
Committee on Bridges; Mr. Xorcross happened to
be Mayor, and the same gentlemen happened to be
one of the commissioners to regulate matters under
supervision ot the Supreme Court with reference
to the Charles River bridges. I was instructed by
the voices that ruled theCiry Hall at that time, by
his Honor the Mayor, the City Solicitor aud oth-
ers, to go to the Legislature and be the instru-
ment of conveying to them the fact that we
72
BOARD OF ALDEKMKN.
would maintain the bridges that run lrom
here to Cbarlestown, auil w^e within our
own boundary lines. Now, in that same spirit
I am in favor of this, unless there is some con
tract by which we are bound, and unless we have
a right to appeal to a higher court, as Chelsea
seems to think she has, for there is no reason why
every town and city shouldn't maintain their own
bridges.
The order was passed. Sent down.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO BE INSPECTED.
Alderman Whidden offered an order— That the
Inspector of Buildings be requested to furnish to
this Hoard the names and locations of such public
buildings, if any, the owners of which have not
complied with the requisitions made upon them
for protection from the danger from fire or panic;
also what buildings, if any, belonging to the city
of Boston would be considered by him unsafe in
case of lire or other cause that might produce a
panic In an audience. Read once.
SALARIES OF OFFICERS A T TENDINC OX I II B
COURTS.
Alderman Harris offered an order — That his
Honor the Mayor be and he is hereby requested
to petition the Legislature for the passage of an
act empowering the Board of Aldermen to fix
the salaries for the services of all officers attend-
ing the several courts within the county of Suf-
folk. Read twice and passed.
Adjourned on motion of Alderman Whidden.
COMMON COUNCIL.
73
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY 91, 1878.
Regular meeting at half-past seven o'clock
P. M., Benjamin Pope, President, in the chair.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FKOM THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Annual report of the City Engineer. Placed on
file.
Report and order to cancel old bond and to is-
sue new agreement to Charles Reinhardt for an
estate on Middlesex street. Older read twice aud
passed in concurrence.
Order to petition for act to release this city from
maintaining any part of West Boston or Cragie's
bridge outside or city limits. Read twice and
passed in concurrence.
Report and order for the cession to the city of
the strip of flats on Charles River line from south-
erly line of Canal Bridge to Harbor Commission-
ers' line near junction of Brookline avenue and
Beacon street.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8 said this subject had
been introduced into the Legislature, and as there
was no need of hurry he hoped it would lie over.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 said there was not the
slightest objection to the order lying over if the
matter had been introduced in the Legislature.
On motion of Mr. McGaragle, the order was laid
upon the table.
Order for an act to empower the Board of Al-
dermen to fix salaries of officers attending the
several courts in Suffolk County. On motion of
Mr. Speuceley of Ward 19, the order was referred
to the Committee on Legislative Matters. Sent up.
Order for Committee on Common, etc., to con-
fer with the Governor and Council for conveyance
of the parcel ol land described in chapter 195,
acts of 1875. Passed in concurrence.
VEGETABLE MARKET.
An order came down for the joint special com-
mittee to consider the expediency of purchasing
the Mercantile- wharf property.
The order was read twice, and the question was
upon its passage.
Mr. McDonald of Ward 12 moved an indefinite
postponement of the order.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17—1 think this wholly
unfair. This matter has been before the
City Government for several years, and
it is only desired that it shall have a
fair hearing. I will state for the information of
the members of the Council that previous to the
farmers' occupying India wharf, where they are
now, they were in the streets, which were liter-
ally blocked up. An ordinance prohibited them
from occupying the streets until after four o'clock
in the afternoon, and they svere fined if they
did n't leave it before eight o'clock in the morn-
ing. They are now located upon India wharf, and
if the order for the passage of Mercantile wharf
was before us tonight, I think I should vote against
it; but I hope we shall pass this order, so.that we
mav give the subject a thorough investigation and
do justice to all parties concerned. If the farmers
can stay on India wharf it may do, and perhaps it
maybe best, to purchase the Mercantile-wharf
property. The lease of the India-wharf prop-
erty and the city's lease of the Mercantile-
wharf property both expire in May. There is
no knowing that the owners of Mercantile
wharf will re-lease it to the city. Before
the farmers went to India wharf, we had often
received orders late in the afternoon for goods to
go by the boats and it was impossible sometimes
to till them — the streets were literally blocked up
by the farmers. I don't suppose any members of
this Council have any idea of the large numbers
of farmers who come to the city with vegetables;
they literally block up the streets. I do hope
this matter will be rererred to the special com-
mittee, who can investigate the whole subject, so
that we shall be able to do what is best for all
parties concerned.
Mr. McDonald— I do not believe the city of Bos-
ton is anxious to purchase any more property :
they have sufficient on hand now without entail-
ing any more expense. This Mercantile wharf
will cost somewhere about §350,000. That order
was before us last year and was laid on the table,
and I don't believe the city of Boston wants to
enter into any negotiations now in regard to that
property.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 don't see that this
order proposes to purchase this property. The
Aldermen want a joint special committee to con-
sider it, and as a matter of courtesy I think we
should concur; there is nothing to say that we
shall purchase this or any other wharf.
The motion to indefinitely postpone was lost
and tne order was passed in concurrence. The
Chair appointed Messrs. Webster of Ward 3, Dan-
forth of Ward 10, Coe of Ward 23, Whicher of
Ward 20 and Sawyer of Ward 20 on said com-
mittee.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PRINTING.
The Mayor's message appointing, subject to
approval, George Coolidge as Superintendent of
Printing, came down for concurrence in the con-
firmation of the appointment.
Committee— Messrs. Toppan of Ward 3, Hollis
of Ward 25 and Cannon of Ward 7.
The question was taken by a yea and nay ballot
and the nomination was confirmed in concur-
rence—yea 53, nay 9.
HARBOR MASTER.
A report and order came down to accept an act
concerning the Harbor Master of Boston.
The question was upon giving the order a second
reading.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 presented petitions
relating to the subject, as follows:
Petition of James Alexander, Thayer & Lincoln
and others, owners and agents of steamship lines,
and merchants interested in shipping, urging that
the duties of Harbor Police and Harbor Master
may be kept separate, as any change like the one
proposed will work an injury to the mercantile
interests of the city; and, as the duties of Harbor
Master are performed with entire satisfaction to
them by Captain Cates, they ask for his continu-
ance in the office.
Also petition of William H. Harrington and
others, pilots, protesting against any change in
the administration of the duties of Harbor Mas-
ter or harbor police, by consolidation or other-
wise, believing it will be injurious to the com-
merce of Boston. The Harbor Master's duties
keep him in the upper harbor, and the police
boat's duties are in the lower harbor; and they
testily to the efficiency of Captains Cates and
Gould in their present positions.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 said he had not in-
vestigated the matter, and the communications
were placed in his hands to present. This is an
important matter and should receive full consid-
eration. If they had not done so, the committee
should give the parties a hearing. He moved to
lay on the table.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 said the order was
merely to accept the act, and did not contemplate
the removal of Captain Cates or anybody else. In
reply to a question by Mr. Richardson, he said
there had been no hearing as yet.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 again urged the im-
portance of the interests at stake, and the neces-
sity for full consideration in view of the state-
ments made t>v the petitioners.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9 said there had been no
public hearing. The only question is whether
they will accept the act to enable us to transfer
the duties of Harbor Master to the Captain of
Police; and when that question comes up will be
a proper time to give a public hearing, if one is
called for. The main object of the order is to
enable us to unite the two offices if we see fit to
do so, and save considerable money. The
authorities believe that the police boatcan per-
form all the duties of Harbor Master, aud the two
offices can be united, and it so seemed to the com-
mittee.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 said that as the act
was passed several years ago there was no need
of hurry, and in view of the representations of
the petitioners, they should act carefully in this
matter, which affects the commerce of Boston.
The city should encourage commerce in every
possible way.
Mr. McGaragle was in favor of saving money,
but as the salary of the Harbor Master would be
paid for the year ending May 1, he hoped the
matter would go over to allow investigation.
Mr. Spenceley said he did not object to a post-
ponement, and at his suggestion Mr. Richardson
agreed to a special assignment, which was fixed
for two weeks from tonight at nine o'clock, and
the Council so voted.
74
COMMON COUNCIL
FIRST ASSISTANT IS8BSBORS.
A certiticate caiue down of the election of First
Assistant Assessors as follows:
William J. Ellis, .John H. Duane, George S. Pen-
dergast, William 15. Long, Xaliuui Chapin. Wil-
liam N. Starrett, Michael Carney, Artetuas R.
Holden.John Brown, Horace Loring, Joseph L.
Drew, William H. Candy, Phineas H. Smith, John
H. Giblin, Joseph R. Grose, Thomas Leavitt,
Charles B. Hunting, Theophilus Bun, William B.
Smart, George F. Williams, John McElroy. L.
Foster Morse, Charles E. Grant, Andrew J.
Browne, John H. Griggs, George A. Comins,
Charles E. Temple, Gideon Walker, John Pierce,
Henry Pierce, Charles Nowell, Richard B. Smart,
William A. Wheeler.
An election whs ordered, and on motion of Mr.
Sampson a committee of six to collect and count
votes was appointed as follows : Messrs. Mowry
of Ward 11, Kidney oi Ward C>, McGaragle of
Ward 8, Wvni hi of Ward 2J, Rust of Ward 10, and
Brawlev of Ward 19.
On motion of Mr. Speuceley, a recess was taken,
at the end of which the committee reported as
follows:
Whole number of votes 65
Neeessarv for a choice 33
William J . Kllis 53
John H. Duane 53
George S. Pendergast 60
William B. Long 64
Nahum Chapin 60
William N. Starrett 64
Michael Carney 56
Artemas R. Hoiden 57
John Brown 58
Horace Loring 60
Joseph L. Drew 44
William H. Cundy 41
l'hincas IS. Smith 52
.1 olin H. Giblin 61
Joseph R. Grose 63
Thomas Leavitt 62
Charles K. Hunting 58
Theophilus Burr 60
William B. Smart 60
George F. Williams 45
John McElroy 53
Ei, Foster Morse 54
Charles E. Grant 54
Andrew J . Browne 63
John H. Griggs 52
George A. Comins 59
( harles E. Temple 61
Gideon Walker 57
John Pierce 57
Henry Pierce 58
Charles Nowell 58
Richard B. Smart 58
William A. Wheeler 41
Joseph Robbins 6
John A. McLaughlin 20
Edward Riley 24
Thomas J. Anderson 25
Emerson Coolidge 10
DudlevPray 18
Francis James 22
John Leahy 3
Dennis Moore 27
William G. Train 21
John Noble 34
George W. Kingman 1
Francis E. Hines 27
John W. Brown 4
Jarvis D. Braman 13
John W. Steere 1
William S. Anderson 1
There were tour ballots containing thirty-four
names which the committee did not count.
The thirty-three elected by the Board of Alder-
men were declared elected in concurrence.
superintendent of public grounds.
On motion of Mr. Mullane of Ward 12, the Coun-
cil took up the special assignment for nine o'clock
and proceeded to the election of Superintendent
of Common and Public Grounds. Committee-
Messrs. McGaragle of Ward 8, Roach of Ward 7,
Sawyer of Ward 24.
Whole number of votes 68
Necessary for a choice 35
John Galvin had 30
William Doogue 31
Hermann Gundel 5
Park Commissioners I
William B. Long 1
And there was no choice.
Mr. Sawyer of Ward 24 moved that the whole
subject be laid upon the table.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 trust that motion
will not be carried, and that we shall proceed to
another ballot.
The motion to lay on the table was lost, and on
motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, a second bal-
lot was ordered. The ballot was taken and the
committee reported as follows:
Whole nun ber of votes 70
Necessary for s choice »..36
John Galvin had 28
William Doogue 36
Hermann Crundel 5
Park Commissioners 1
Before the result was declared Mr. Sampson of
Ward 17 said— I question the correctness of that
ballot, as three members are absent. Messrs. J. H.
Pierce, Pearl and Coe are absent, and it is n't
possible for that to be a correct ballot.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11 moved the report be re-
committed to the committee.
Mr. McGaragle— There is no reason ior recom-
mitting it, as the ballots were in the box, and we
counted them three times.
On motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward 17, the bal-
lot was thrown out, and a new one taken. The
committee reported (Mr. McGaragle remarking
that the absent members must have returned) —
Whole number of votes ,.70
Necessary for a choice 36
William Doogue 36
John Galvin 29
Hermann Grundel 1
Park Commissioners 1
Before the result was declared Mr. Sampson of
Ward 17 moved that the ballot be recommitted,
as the vote for Park Commissioners being for
three men, and ineligible, should not be counted.
Mr. McGaragle— The ballots were in the box
each time.
Mr. Burke of W r ard 2— It is evident that the
gentleman from Ward 17 is right. There are three
members absent, and, that there may be fair play,
I move that the matter be specially assigned to
next Thursday evening at 9 o'clock.
Mr. Mullane of Ward 12—1 hope that it will not
be postponed, but that we shall proceed to a bal-
lot tonight.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved that the com-
mittee stand in the centre of the hall, and that
each member deposit his ballot as bis name is
called, which motion prevailed, and the ballot
proceeded in accordance therewith, all the mem-
bers being present and voting except Messrs. Coe,
Pierce and Pearl.
Whole number of votes 69
Necessary for a choice 35
William Doogue 38
John Galvin 28
Herman Grunndell 3
And Mr. Doogue was declared elected. Sent up.
ACCOUNTS OF WATER BOARD.
The order to authorize the Water Board to spend
.$500 for an expert accountant to arrange and
commence a new system of bookkeeping for that
department was considered under unfinished
business.
Mr. Lauten of Ward 14 moved to substitute $250
for $500, as he was assured by experts that that
amount would be sufficient. As economy ought
to be practised, he hoped his amendment would
prevail.
Mr. Wilson of Ward 20 explained the needs o
the new system.
Mr. Lauten was satisfied that $250 will accom-
plish the same result.
.Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 10 said the estimate was
carefully made by the Water Board, and if the
whole amount is not needed it will not be spent.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24 desired more informa-
tion, and Mr. Wilson read the recommendations
of the Water Board on the subject.
Mr. Barnard thought it a large sum to pay one
clerk from now to May 1, and he must be very ex-
pert to deserve it.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3 knew nothing of the de-
tails, but thought that as the Water Board are
trusted with so large an appropriation during the
year, they could be depended on to spend this
amount to the best advantage, and the Council
should leave it to their judgment.
Mr. Brawley explained the condition of affairs
in thb office ; the present clerk has not time to ar-
range a new system, being occupied in keeping
the minutes of the board in relation to the settle-
ment of land damages.
Mr. Lauten did not object to the new system,
but to paying $500 for what could be procured for
$250.
The motion to table was lost, and the order was
passed in concurrence.
FEBRUARY 21. 1878
75
BACK BAY PARK.
The order to authorize the Park Commissioners
to purchase additional land to complete the ap-
proaches to the Back Bay Park was considered
under unfinished business, and was passed. The
order for a transfer of £16,000 for said purchase
was passed— yeas 04, nays 1 ; Mr. Barnard of Ward
24 voting nay. Sent up*
POLICE COMMISSION.
The order for the Mayor to petition the Legisla-
ture for an act to establish a Police Commission
was considered under unfinished business, the
question being on giving the order a second
reading.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19—1 move that the or-
der be indefinitely postponed, and I call for the
yeas and nays to verify the result.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3— At the last meeting of
the Council the gentleman from Ward 2 made a
very able and eloquent defence ot the rights of the
people, but was under a very serious misappre-
hension, and I have no doubt that many who
listened to him presumed that he was correct in
his statements, and therefore voted misunder-
standingly. I find in his remarks the following
words: "But when you establish a commission, it
takes a two-thirds vote of both branches for two
years before you can abolish it." Xow, Mr. Presi-
dent, this is a very good reason why we should
not have a commission if such is the effect, but it
is entirely imaginary and a delusion, and there is
no authority for it. If this act is passed, the commis-
sion will besirnilarto that which has charge of the
Fire Department, which is now under the control
of the City Government by an ordinance, and if
that ordinance should be repealed, and his Honor
the Mayor should approve it, the commission
would he abolished immediately. The idea that
it takes a two-thirds vote of each branch for two
consecutive years to abolish a commission is a
complete delusion, and I will be very happy if
the gentleman from Ward 2 will show me the least
foundation for the assertion. There is a very se-
rious prejudice against giving up any of the power
of the Common Council in this matter. It is said
that we are the popular branch direct from the
people, and we want to hold on to our power. I
would like to ask what power we have in regard
to the Police Department or any other depart-
ment. We can pass the annual appropriation for
the police or auy other department, and cut down
or raise the salaries of the men, and we can do the
same with regard to the Fire Department ; but in re-
gard to any aetails of the management, the buying
of supplies, etc., a member of "the Council has no
more to do with it than a person outside has. If
this act is drawn, it is the intention ot those who
favor it to have the commission confirmed by
both branches of the City Government, the same
as the members of the Fire Commission are. In
my opinion all these commissioners should be ap-
pointed in that way, and if the act is not so drawn
I would not vote for it, and presume that others
would not. So it is fair to presume that if
the act takes effect at all it will require
a confirmation by both branches. Then
we shall have some power in regard to the depart-
ment. The names uominated by the Mayor will
come to us for confirmation, and we shall have
the same power in regard to them that we have in
regard to the Board of Health and other depart-
ments If that is not a practical gain to the Coun-
cil I should like to know what is. We should have
equal power with the Board of Aldermen, and if
we want to make an inquiry into the management
we should have a cordial reception and influence
that properly belong to us." We now have a
vote upon the annual appropriation for the
Police Department, and then we are thrown on
that committee for the remainder of the year. If
any member can show me how the Council does
n't gain a great deal of influence by this change, I
should like to know how it is. The Mayor and Al-
dermen, who have the entire handling of this mat-
ter, feel satisfied to delegate their power to the
commission, and the Common Council, who have
now no power at all, should not object.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2—1 feel very thankful to the
gentleman from Ward 3 for the compliment he
pays me.
If I said that the appointment of the Police
Commission was in the manner described and
it is not true, I am wroDg ; but if I am not greatly
mistaken that is the way the boards of commis-
sions are established today.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3— Can you name one?
Mr. Burke — I think the Fire Commission is, and
if I am wrong I am willing to admit it. I did not
come here to make any special point upon this
subject tonight, and anything I have said in
regard to taking away the rights of the
people is just what I propose to repeat at
this time, and I don't think any argument the
gentleman can produce will convert me from the
doctrine 1 believe in. So tar as I have had any
chance to know, it has been the object of all
governments— not only this government, but
from time immemorial it has been the object of
all governments— to take away the power from
the people. That is what ambitious men have
sought for from the beginning of the world, and
it is the case in this country: and although one
hundred years ago we were a free people, many
efforts have been made to centralize it into
a monarchy and a kingdom. The gentleman says
that this Council would be better off to put the
police into the hands of the commission. If I
could be convinced that that is the case I should
be glad to vote for it, but I cannot see the neces-
sity for it. Speaking of the necessity for it, it is
proposed that the Government this year shall be
economical, but while they are willing to cut
down in one department they are willing to
add to another. This measure pi oposes to add
about S12.000 a year to the cost of running this
department. The gentlemen who favor this meas-
ure want to make me believe that the present
system — the Chief of Folice withjall his deputies
and assistants— cannot manage the department.
If that is the case, all 1 say that you want is a few
live men in the department. There are fifteen
station houses in the city, and I oelieve each one
has a captain, two lieutenants and three sergeants
attached to it, and that the whole police force is
about 715 men, who are managed by about fifty
officers. The force is divided up among the sev-
eral sections of the city, each of which is in
charge of a captain, and the Chief of Police is
over them all, and he has a great deal of power in
the City Hall with the Committee on the Depart-
ment ard his Honor the Mayor to back him up:
and then you come here and tell us that the de-
partment is unmanageable, and that vou must ap-
point a commission and pay them 812,000 a year
to take care of it. Xow, who are to be ap-
pointed the commissioners? Will it be some-
body who has been brought up in the
school and learned the necessary tactics of our
police discipline? Or must it be somebody who
will tell the policemen how many buttons they
must have in front, and what kind of caps they
want? Perhaps it may be that some broken-
down merchants are looking for positions of
this kind! Who are the men who fill the
commissions ? Are they the men who are
brought up in the business? The question
is before a certain committee whether there
shall be practical men in a certain branch
of business or not, and will the Chief of Police or
good patrolmen who desire promotion be ap-
pointed on the commission? Xo, sir; I venture
to say that such men would not be allowed to
stand the chances of confirmation. Xow, sir, the
gentleman says that the public finger has been
put into this thing. I find that the newspapers
say we must have a Police Commission. The
newspapers say that we come here and make
threadbare speeches and pretentious patriotism,
but that they don't amount to anything; and,
finally, that if the city don't take up this matter,
the State will. Let that be the case; let the State
do what it will ; I will not vote for the commis-
sion. I have seen enough of commissions. We
had a commission which was made up of some of
the most respectable men of Boston — look at the
Danvers Hospital, which was managed by
a commission ! AVhat economy was that
to the State of Massachusetts, costing three
times as much as at first assumed? I ven-
ture to say that a first-class architect or mechanic
would have taken charge of that matter alone
and built it for at least one-third what it
cost the State. I don't propose to be a bob to
anybody's kite, or the Boston Herald either.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11— I do not share the ap-
prehensions of the gentleman from Ward 2 that
the establishment of a police commission will
subject us to the establishment of a monarchy.
A great deal has been said about the rights of trie
people. I believe the first and greatest right of
the people is that the State and city shall be gov-
erne"d economically and ably ; ana "it is our first
duty to pay attention solely to that end. Since
the establishment of the Fire Commission I do
7(>
COMMON COUNCIL,
not think we have heard any complaints from
citizens at large that they have been robbed of
their rights. On the contrary, I believe the testi-
mony ot the citizens at large is that the Fire De-
partment is managed more ably and with more
discipline in the organization than heretofore.
The Chief of Police stated to the committee that,
in bis opinion, the discipline coined under the
management of a commission would enable the
department to do away with sufficient pa-
trolmen to pay the salaries of the com-
missioners. It should be remembered that this
measure is a proposed consolidation, not entirely
a new commission. It is proposed to place the
Police Department in the hands of a commission
which already exists, and has, I believe, done
its work well. The matter has been recommend-
ed both by his Honor the late Mayor, and the
present Mayor, and so far as can lie judged by
conversation in the street and the tone of the news-
papers, I think that the right which the people
want and demand at our hands is that the Police
Department shall be managed with as much
economy and efficiency as any other department
in the City Government. It'is the equal in im-
portance of any other department in the City
Government, and perhaps in a time of emergency
it might be of mbre importance than any other.
I think this is a step in the right direction, and
I hope the motion to indefinitely postpone will not
be carried.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 'J— The gentleman from
Ward 2 bases his opposition to this measure upon
the ground that it is taking the government of
the police away from the people. He must mean by
that that when the people assemble to cast their
ballots on voting days, they can no longer influ-
ence the persons who govern the Police Depart-
ment. Now, he means to say by that that the
Common Council will have no influence with the
department. We know that we cannot now influ-
ence the Police Department in the slightest
degree. If he refers to the Board of Alder-
men, they stand no nearer the people
than the Common Council. The Hoard
is composed of twelve men, and you cannot nut
your finger upon a single one of them. The pro-
posed measure fixes the responsibility upon the
Mayor, whose appointments are to be confirmed
by the City Council. If we put that responsibility
upon one man, the people will know
whom to censure for wrong-doing; they can
express their opinion upon it and defeat him;
while if you divide the responsibility among
twelve, or seventy-two men, you confuse the peo-
ple and prevent the fixing of responsibility upon
any one. Therefore, if the gentleman from Ward
_' is anxious to bring this matter into the power
of the people, he will vote for the change.
Mr. BIcGarsele of 'W ard 8—1 am sorry the gen-
tleman from Ward 9 was so brief; it he had kept
on in this strain he would have made a strong
argument against the commission. He says that
it you place the responsibility in the hands ot
the Mayor the people can defeat him ; ana that it
should not be placed in the hands of seventy-;, wo
men because the responsibility will be scat-
tered all over the city of Boston. If he had
kept on in that strain, 1 am almost sure
the order would be indefinitely postponed. I
came here tonight hardly prepared to vote either
way. We were told at ihe last meeting that all
they wanted was authority to establish a commis-
sion; that there was no act drawn, and when the
act passed we would then decide whether or not
we wanted the commission. But it appears tliat
the gentleman from Ward 'i has let the cat out of
the bag ; he has seen the act and revised it. The
leman from Ward 11 says it don't propose to
increase the expenditure, but to put it into the
hands of a commission who have done their duty
faithfully. Now, it occurs to me, he is forestall-
ing the action of the Legislature, when it appears
that they may have a prohibitory law. I am will-
ing to admit that the License Commission is the
best ever established in the City Hall, and the
members have worked for less money. But suppose
we have a prohibitory law, are you going to have
a commission to license prohibition ? We would
n't need any commission. He also reierred to the
testimony of the Chief of Police and the Deputy
in favor of a commission. If that testimony is so
important, why don't they produce it for the mem-
bers of the Council to read and judge for them-
selves? The gentleman lays great stress upon it,
and that is all we know about it. We don't know
whether they were in favor of or against it. If the
testimony is so important, why don't the commit-
tee produce it? I should like to read it: it might
change my mind. I can see no good in passing
this order tonight. The subject has been intro-
duced in the Legislature by a young senator from
the South End, and if they'see'fit, they can pass a
law for it, notwithstanding the c>ty of Boston
don't authorize the Mayor to petition for it. The
Legislature can make it obligatory upon the city
of Boston, and as the matter has been Introduced,
I can see no good but in indefinitely postponing
the order.
Mr. Webster ot Ward 3— The gentleman has ac
cused me of the very heinous crime of telling him
some news; but I think he has told us some. He
says he came here not knowing he should vote
upon this question. That is news to all of us. I
think his mind is pretty well made up and 1 don't
think it will be changed if we talk till the
day of judgment. It is too late in the day
and in the night to argue the question
of commissions. We all know there are
commissions on health, Fire Department, sinking
funds and licenses, and if any gentleniau has real-
ly investigated the condition of affairs in those
departments before and since the commissions
were established, he cannot but see the benefit
they have done. If these facts are not apparent
to the gentleman, certainly no amount of argu-
ment can change his mind.
Mr. McGaragle— I am exceedingly obliged to
the gentleman, and am willing to acknowledge
his shrewdness in gulling the public. As a mind
reader he excels anyhody at this board.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I do not propose to
enter upon the interminable controversy of the
respective merits ot different theories of govern-
ment, from which discussion about all that has
been gained, and in which about all that can, I
think, be said is summed up by the poet when he
said—
"For forms of government let fools contest,
That which is best administered is best."
And this, if 1 understand it, is a question merely
of administration or execution, not of legislation,
not of law, not involving pny discussion of
any principle of political or civil policy; it is
simply a question of means; not of what laws
or ordinances we shall live under, nor by whom,
when or how made; but simply when made, how,
by what agency or machinery they can be best en-
forced, most impartially euforced, most indepen-
dently and effectually enforced, for the preserva-
tion of order, and the security of the rights of
the whole people; gentlemen err, by a want of
clear definitions, I think, when they speak Of this
measure as one calculated to deprive the people
of their rights; on the contrary, it is an effort cal-
culated to secure and preserve the rights of the
people, not of a class, but the masSi
by placing the administration of the law
upon a permanent basis of l tiles and regulations
independent of individual dictation or interfer-
ence; and in line, by making it, in this respect
also, as we boast that it is in others, a govern-
ment of law, and not ot men. Let us look the
situation squarely in the lace, and speak plainly.
Does the Police Department ot the city fully do
what is or should be required of it? does It per-
form its whole duty for the public welfare ? are
you, are we and our constituents, satisfied with
the measure of its present performance) and with
its present condition? 1 understand that these
questions have but one answer in general public
opinion, and that is the negative.
Our present Mayor speaks of it mildly as "unsat-
islactory," ex-Mayor Prince over a year ago said,
"One of the heads of the London police assured
me that the worst parts of that great metropolis
could be traversed with perfect safety by day or
by night, but the almost daily record of assaults
upon our own citizens, by the roughs prevent us
from boasting ot the same immunity from dan-
ger." I do not know that Boston is more wicked
than other cities of equal population in this coun-
try. She ought to be tar less so, and I should say
that she has poor encouragement for the great
outlays which she makes to educate and elevate
all classes, if she is not far less so; but the stories,
and evidence of their truth, of certain crimes
which go unpunished, of wickedness winked at
in some ulaces, and of trivial delinquencies mag-
nified into enormities in others, of the payments
of money for dispensations and privileges, of fa-
voritism, are too rife and common, and
the public believe them. And the public
have lost confidence in it, and this of
itselt prevents its usefulness and prevents its
own reform. Now, what will you do? What will
FEB RU AKY 21
1878
77
gentlemen of Ward 5 or "Ward 19 do? They may
liave hoped, as some others have, that a fearless
and vigorous effort to effect some reforms and
changes, to extinguish some abuses, might have
been made before'resorting to the measure before
us; but the ottier branch of the City Council,
who have the entire control of its disci-
pline, have declared by a vote two to one
their inability to make these needed reforms and
changes under the present system, and have pro-
nounced their judgment against this system.
They say we are helpless under it. 'So I say, What
will you do? Will you let this condition go on
Jrom bad to worse, until you will, possibly, by
State interference, lose your hold on the conduct
of the department wholly? Like some theologians
of whom we have read, will gentlemen
refuse salvation because they cannot have
it on the line of their own theories?
The safety of the people is the highest duty, the
tiist law. The measure and plan proposed has
some features which I think all will admit are im-
provements. I can mention now, for want of
time, only one, that is the plan of the selection of
officers and men with special reference to their
qualifications. You know that men have been
put upon the police force and retained there from
youth to old age who have no aptness
or fitness by nature, learning or skill for
it, to whom these positions were given by
friends as a means merely of support; a thing
which would not be done in any other profession,
trade, business or occupation in which men are
engaged. And the weakness of the department
today is largely the result of it; and I doubt if it
is possible under tne present system to remedy
this, because there is no Mayor, nor any commit-
tee, nor any Board of Aldermen who have the
qualifications necessary to determine the qualifi-
cations of others, and I do not thinjs it would be
wise or expedient to give the entire appointing
power to tne chief.
Abuses exist, which only radical measures will
extinguish. Such measures as that no Mayor
no Board of Aldeimeu and no committee have the
power or the courage to adopt and carry ont; at
least they do not.
Inconvenience is apprehended by some from a
commission of three persons; but we have here no
experience in other departments to justiiy this
fear. Under the present system we have the
Chief of Police, the Mayor and the Board of Al-
dermen, and the committee; — which of these now
is the responsible bead? I doubt if you could de-
vise a system in which it would be more difficult
to find a responsible head in an emergency than
the present one. I believe gentlemen suffer
themselves to be confused by words when
they say that they would be g'iving up their
rights by voting for this measure. What are
your rights, if not providing for the public wel-
fare? for securiug the greatest good co the great-
est number? Can you suggest any way by which
that is better secured than by administering law
by and upon a settled, continuous and permanent
policy? By making the ministers of the law
amenable only to law and not the caprices of men ?
And this I believe will be secured by the proposed
change.
Mr.Spenceley of Ward 19— The gentleman has
made some pretty broad statements, and I would
like to ask him a question or two. He said the
committee of the Aldermen have said by their
votes that they are not competent to take care of
this department. Where does he find it? He
says men physically, morally and mentally un-
fitted tor this business are appointed, and I
would like to ask him who appoints them ? Then
he says the committee are not sufficiently learned
in police matters to take charge of this; and I
would like to ask where he is going to find three
commissioners who are?
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10—1 find the first
statement in the fact that while the law gives
the discipline and regulation of the Police Depart-
ment to the Mayor aud Aldermen, they have in
effect declined to put in effect the reforms and
changes that they declare should be made. They
say the system is wrong and that abuses exist — if
I correctly read the reports of their proceed-
ings—which cannot be reached under the
present system; and if that is not in ef-
fect saving they are unable to reach the reforms
needed, I do not know what they mean by their
language. Then further, in answer to the gentle-
man, I do not think he quoted me correctly when
he said I said that men are on the police who are
physically ana morally unfit for the duty. I say
that men have been appointed upon the police
and remained there from youth to old age, who
hare no special qualifications for the duty. It is
a position which, in my judgment, requires spe-
cial qualifications as mnch as any other execu-
tive office. There is no occupation in the world
for which some men do not have natural aptitude
and greater skill than others, and I have no ques-
tion but that men have been raised who have a
peculiar fitness for it. A man now sends his pe-
tition to the Mayor to be appointed; political and
social friends recommend him and he is appointed.
Has there been any examination, any test, as to his
peculiar fitness? That is what I meant by that; and
mean to say that there should be no appointment
to any place under the Government without some
test or standard of qualifications, just as men and
corporations in private business have when they
hire bookkeepers, clerks, or salesmen, or when
they select parties to perform any work. Archi-
tects, engineers and others are selected for their
peculiar qualifications for the business, and no-
body can doubt but that some men have a pecu-
liar aptitude by nature or education for those du-
ties, and they ought to perform them.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11— I agree with the gentle-
man from Ward 10, when he says that there are
many abuses in connection with police matters
which have not been reached, and which cannot
be remedied, and it is for this very reason that it
seems to me to be necessary aud desirable that a
commission should be established. It is well
known that the duties of the Mayor ana Alder-
men and the Chief of Police in connection with
the department are not very clearly defined.
There have often been conflicts of authority in
this department, and it seems to me, for that very
jeason, that it is extremely desirable to establish
a commission. We need to have the department
managed by a fixed and settled policy, which we
cannot have so long as it is managed by a Mayor
and a committee who are elected annually. !Now,
sir, it seems to me there are only two objections
against the commission; one is the centralization
of power, and the other is the expense.
As to the expense in this case, there have been no
figures presented to show that there shall be a
large increase ; and, in regard to the centraliza-
tion of power, it seems to me that there can be no
objection on that ground, because at p resent the
power is in the hands of the Mayor, and under
the commission it will be in the hands of three
men. I don't think there is any objection to the
establishment of the commission upon those
grounds.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19— The gentleman from
Ward 11 has stated this question just as we have
heard it several times during the past two or
three years. I heard of a man who had a key to a
fire alarm box, who gave an alarm, and when the
engines got there, and they found there was no
fire, just a little smoke ; the commissioners took
the key away from him. It seems to me there has
been a great deal of smoke about this matter, and
by and by it will clear up, and the key to the
trouble will be taken away. The gentleman states
that there is no discipline in the department, and
I supposed that when he said they were entirely
unfit for the duty that he meant they were physi-
cally, morally aud spiritually disqualified. He
goes on, but lie don't tell why, but all he says is
that they are wolves ; but when we come down to
the point he cannot place a fingerupon them. He
says that the whole appointment rests with the
Mayor. Well, I pity the Mayor, and it is a pretty
hard duty; but why don't the gentleman move
that, instead of the Mayor, we should
have a commission at the head of the
Government? Let us have a commission
at headquarters, and not establish it down below
for every little matter that comes up. So far as
my observation is concerned, I have not seen
the men who are disqualified for the position.
I don't know how many men have been exam-
ined physically, or how many have been cate-
chized as to their spiritual condition. It is said
that a commission will be needed in case of
a riot, but has there been any riot? I saw
that one of the papers said it would be a
good thing to have a riot, so as to get a
commission, and I don't know but they would
incite one for that purpose. I venture to say that
the argument was brought up in order to* get a
commission to take care of the police. I have
heard the argument used by gentlemen outside
that the men were unfit for the position. Suppose
we have a few old men in the service; they have
given their lives to the city. Perhaps the com-
78
COMMON COUNCIL,
mission might give tiiem some position so that
they could have an easy time, but that has never
been done in any case yet under a commission.
The gentleman says the duties of the Mayor and
Aldermen and Chief of Police are not well defined.
Why don't they go to work and define that policy?
Why don't they make an ordinance or petition the
General Court for an act to define what the duties
of the Chief of Police and the Mayor are ? Xo, the
simple fact is commission— commission— commis-
sion; that is about all we hear. It is the oalm for
every wound.
Mr. Howry— Balm of Gilead.
Mr. Spenceley — The gentleman says balm of Gil-
ead. I don't know much about Gilead. The gen-
tleman from Ward !> insinuated at the last meet-
ing that men voted for political effect in various
matters, and I see that tbe reporter omitted it in
the report. Now, 1 want t<> throw back
the insinuation with just as much vehe-
mence as he uttered it. 1 may be wrong-
in my opposition to the commission, but
my view is just as honest, and I have just as much
right to my opinion as lie his. 1 do not know but
he is advocating it for political effect. I do not
look to the taking away ot the rights of the peo-
ple so much as 1 do to the fine which nia.v be
formed about the commissions supposing that a
Mayor wanted to get the votes of these
various commissions, and supposing we
should go on and get a commission for the other
departments, for we are coining to that, gentle-
men. I say that a dozen men cannot be employed
to manage such a large body of men as Koston
has to employ without some political effect, and
this is a power which can be used to drive men to
vote for their purpose. If they tell us we
are doing it for political effect, I think
they had better look to the other side.
Now look at the amount of money and the num-
ber of men we have to employ year after year.
Yon get that power all into the' hands of one "man,
and I don't care who he is, 1 would rather trust
the people of Boston by their ballots to elect that
man, than to trust all that power in the hands of
one man. Gentlemen may have confidence in the
present Mayor, and 1 have too. But be may not
always be there. The gentleman says if we have
a commission, it is good and stable and strong.
But I say, let the Mayor stay in the chair for two
years and appoint the commissioners, and will he
not have control of them?
Mr. Richardson— Would the commission be in the
control of the Mayor when they are elected by a
joint ballot of both branches of "the City Coune'il?
Would not the people have more control over the
department than they now have?
Mr. Spenceley— I know that both branches have
to confirm these men. I have had some expere-
ence in the past two or three years with men
whom the City Council have confirmed. I am not
here to say anything against the commissioners
who have been" appointed to fill vacancies; but I
do not believe in placing any man — I don't eare
who he may be, whether a mechanic, plumber, or
anybody else— in a position which he knows noth-
ing about.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I think the gentle-
man fails to comprehend my language. My ques-
tion was whether the people sent to the popular
branch will not have more control of the police
appointments than they do now?
Mr. Spenceley— No, sir; I think not.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— Then I will qualify
it by saying, will they not by law? I don't know
what influence the popular branch exercises upon
the department, but will they not bylaw? I
should like the gentleman to show why not.
Mr. Spenceley— Wait until I get through and
you can talk as much as you are a mind to. There
is another point, and that is the idea so ably
stated in the other branch— that the commission
will be permanent, and that the old patiolmen
will be retired on a pension. It is all marked out
nicely. But I should like to know how a commis-
sion can pension these men ? How are they
going to get the money? We tried to do it
last year and failed. This is the old bait,
and I hope we shall not swallow the
hook. The gentleman said, don't let 's debate
this question, but have the order put in and send
it to the State House. It is like putting a rope
around our necks, and I don't propose to do it.
I would like the gentleman to show in what there
is really fault to be found with the Police Depart-
ment as it is today. I think some things might
be altered for the better, and that the
duties of the Chief, Mayor aud Alder-
men might be more clearly defined. The
Committee on Ordinances might frame an ordi-
nance which would arrange it more satisfactori-
ly ; but I dou't see any reason for altering my
opinion in relation to tins matter, although I un-
derstand that gentlemen have It it is best to
have a commission, let us have one; but as for
myself I shall not vote for it.
Mr. Shepard of Ward 1— I agree with the gen-
tleman who has just taken his seat that a com-
mission is not a balm lor every wound, nor a
panacea for all out municipal evils. I have no
doubt that there may be found a method of
executive administration better than a commis-
sion; but none has been advanced by gentlemen
who advocate the postponement of this order,
and the simple question for us is, whether
the administration ot the police by a com-
mission is better or worse than the present
system of management by a committee of the
Board of Aldermen. It is "merely a question of
administration by three men called commission-
ers in one case, and a committee of the Board of
Aldermen in the other. Some reference was
made a week ago to the experience of the city
with regard to other commissions, and one gen-
tleman referred to the cities of New York and
Brooklyn, which are now anxious to get rid of
commissions. I think that the gentlemen will
find that the trouble has been, not that
they had commissions, but that the power
to appoint them was taken out of the bauds of the
people of those cities, and the appointments were
made by the State. The affairs of those cities
were not administered by their own citizens, but
by citizens of the country, who knew nothing of
the requirements of those cities, and who come
together year atter year and pass laws upon mat-
ters the 'details of which they know nothing
about. These are the evils complained of in Brook-
lyn and other cities. The reason why we should
establish this commission is that we shall have the
control of it in our own hands. It has been stated
that an effort will be made to place the police in
charge of the governor, and it seems to me the
best way to stop the complaint which has been
made is to petition for authority to establish a
commission under our own control, as we will
show that the City Government is disposed to do
all it can to have a vigorous and efficient po-
lice. If we take this action we place
the strongest obstacle in the way of those
who desire to have the police "of Boston
placed in charge of the governor. This talk about
the rights of the people being invaded is all a
great bugbear. The vast majority of the peo-
lile of this city are not interested in getting
men upon the police force or in any other
department, or in getting their friends appointed
to office. All they want is the best ad-
ministration of the affairs of the city; all that
they want is the greatest liberty in the pursuit of
their private affairs with safety to their property;
they are indifferent as to means. If they are sat-
isfied that to administer the police by a
commission is better than by a committee
of the Board of Aldermen, you will not
hear any complaint from them. The whole
growth of cities and towns is tending
toward the centralization of power. When
we were a small town, the people could be brought
together and vote upon every measure; they es-
tablished their ordinances and voted upon every
expenditure. But as the city grew, the people
elected their representatives, who passed upon
public measures. With the increase in wealth,
population aud general prosperity, it was found
that business could not be so well transacted by
representatives in the popular branch as by com-
missions. I believe the time will come when
we will see something better than com-
missions; but in this case it seems to me it is bet-
ter to have three men to look after this depart-
ment than it is to have it in charge of a com-
mittee of the Board of Aldermen, who are liable
to be changed every year. The matter of ex-
pense has been adverted to, and it has been well
met. But another side has not been presented.
The most economical way is not always the
most efficient; and should a commission prove
more expensive than a committee, it the depart-
ment were carried on more efficiently, and it peo-
ple felt safer in their lives and property, it would
really be a more economical way, even if the ap-
parent expense might be greater. The gentleman
from Ward 2 remarked that members of this
Government could not have much influence with
the commissioners; and he referred to the Fire
FEBRUARY 91, 187 8
79
Commissioners. Now I have the honor to
serve upon the Committee on Streets. I have
had occasion to consult with the Ltreet Com-
missioners and have found them anxious to con-
fer with the Committee on Streets, and obtain
their opinions. I am young in this business, and
I may be mistaken, but I think I have all the in-
fluence in those matters that I should have. When
the Street Commissioners want anything done in
the widening of streets the committee hear
their reasons, form their own conclusions and pre-
sent them to the Council. They are in-
terested in having the work done in the best pos-
sible manner, and it cannot be for their interest
to have men appointed who are not responsible.
It seems to me that the arguments in favor of this
commission are very strong. One reform will be
in the appointment of men upon the police. As it
is now, a person comes in with a petition
for an appointment; the Mayor has not the
time to give to it that it deserves; he
hears half a dozen friends ot the petitioner,
who is appointed, and the name is referred to the
Committee on Police. They have other public
and private business to attend to; and supposing
they have no private business, they serve upon
many other committees and cannot understand
and inquire into the qualifications of all the can-
didates. On that account it seems to me it will
be a good thing to have a commission. Now,
about the removal of policemen. We have
a great deal of fault found with the removals,
and some are, no doubt, well grounded. But
the fault is in the system. Not that the com-
mittee do not intend to treat them fairly, but
they have not time to hear all the cases. Under
a commission, I suppose, all the hearings will be
public, and any one would have an opportunity
to be beard, and in that case I believe justice
would be done to the police. Another matter
is discipline. We have a good committee this
year; yet I believe the chairman of the
committee in his remarks in the Board of
Aldermen confessed that there was great lack
of discipline in the department ; that men were
appointed and assigned to the stations where
they belonged, and an order was brought from
the Mayor to transfer them. He was asked if this
was due to a want of backbone in the Chief, and
he said tnat if the Chief were backed by the
Mayor, he had backbone enough; but while sub-
ject to political influences he could not do what
he thought best. That must be apparent to any-
body. The Alderman, although opposed to a
commission, made that statement. Then another
matter is the chance for rewarding persons who
have been long in the service of the city. It
seems to me a regular system should be provided
for that. It is done in other corporations, and
might be done in this department. " When a man
has served long and faithfully, he should feel as-
sured that, if cut down suddenly, his family would
have something. It might be done under a com-
mission who are permanent; but it could not, un-
der a committee who come in one year and go out
the next, when the discipline is constantly chang-
ing from severe to lax. It seems to me this would
be one of the best things for the discipline of the
force.
Mr. McDonald of Ward 12 moved the previous
question.
The President said that would cut off the mo-
tion to indefinitely postpone.
Mr. McDonald withdrew the motion, and Mr.
Thompson renewed it.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19—1 hope the main ques-
tion will not be ordered until we have a little
more information upon this subject. It may per-
haps cause a laugh to say that we want a little
more information. We have had considerable
argument, but we have had no information. All
that we can conclude from the arguments we
have heard is that abuses exist in phe Police De-
partment, and it is necessary to create a commis-
sion in order to eradicate those abuses. But no
gentleman has shown this Council what the
nature of the abuses is. The question
has been argued from various standpoints,
and from a political standpoint I think it would
be very hard to find three men managing such a
department who would not be swayed by political
influence. The remarks of the gentleman from
Ward 10 were well placed. He compares our Po-
lice Department with the police of London, and it
is by comparison that we are enabled to judge of
what is best. London has a population of about
4,000,000; it is governed by a Police Depart-
ment under one head. The population of
Brooklyn is perhaps in the neighborhood
of five or six hundred thousand. It is governed by
a commission. The gentleman speaks of the secur-
ity with which a person travels through any part
of the city of London ; and it is a well-known fact
that since the establishment of the commission in
the city of Brooklyn more abuses have been created
than ever existed in the department with one head.
In the appointment of men upon the police force
experience is the last qualification considered.
They are geneially taken as men are for the
army — raw recruits. It don't make any difference
what a man was, if they are properly drilled they
will become good police, just the same as an effi-
cient army can be made out of raw recruits.
The President— The Chair would state that the
debate is allowed only upon reasons why the main
question should or should not be put.
Mr. Burke urged that one reason why the main
question should not be put was, that the ad-
vocates of the order had had an opportunity
to express their views and the opponents had not.
It was very strange, if there were any abuses in
the Police Department such as had been com-
plained of, why they had n't been reported. He
was willing to hear both sides of the subject.
On motion of Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16, the
yeas and nays were ordered on the previous ques-
tion.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8 hoped the previous
question would not be put, as it was then half-
past eleven o'clock and it was desirable that there
should be more investigation. In reply to Mr.
Shepard's remark about the courtesy of the
Street Commissioners, he said that the board
were elected from the people and by the people.
The main roll was called with the following
result:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Ho'l-
lis, Howl and, Lauten, Mo wry, Nason, Perham,
Plimpton, J. B._Richardson, M. W. Richardson,
Roberts, Rust, jk. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Smith, J. F. Taylor,
Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster, Wolcott,
Wyman— 33.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall.N. Y.
Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley, Ken-
dricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey,
McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, Shepard, Spenceley,
J. Taylor, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley— 33.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Coe, Pearl, Pierce,
Sibley— 4.
When the name of Mr. Thorndike of Ward 2
was called he arose and said that he should vote
against the commission, but he had paired with
Mr. Coe, who was absent.
There being a tie-vote, the President voted yes,
and the main question was declared ordered —
yeas 34, nays 33; and the question came up on
giving the order a second reading.
Mr. Spenceley moved to especially assign the
order to next Thursday evening at nine o'clock.
Mr. Thompson raised the point of order that the
motion was not in order, and the Chair ruled the
point well taken.
The order was declared ordered to a second
reading.
Mr. McGaragle doubted the vote, and on his
motion the yeas and nays were ordered. The or-
der was passed to a second reading— yeas 34,
nays 32:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hol-
lis, Howland, Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Perham,
Plimpton, J. B. Richardsou, M. W. Richardson,
Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson, H.
N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, J. F. Tay-
lor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster, Wolcott,
Wyman— 34.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox. Denny, Dev-
lin, Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, Mc-
Gahey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen,
O'Connor, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, Spenceley,
J. Taylor, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley— 32.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Coe, Pearl,
Pierce, Sibley, Thorndike— 5.
The order was read a second time and put upon
its passage.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 1G moved to adjourn.
On motion of Mr Thompson the yeas aud nays
were ordered on the motion to adjourn, and the
motion was lost— yeas 33, nays 34:
Yeas — Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall,
80
COMMON COUNCIL
N. Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Denny, Dev-
lin, Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, kelley,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, Mc-
Gahey, McGaragle, McGeough, .Mullane, Mullen,
O'Connor, Roach, Bosnosky, Santry. Snenceley,
J. Taylor, Thorndike. Whi( tier, Wilson, "Woolley,
—33.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colbv.
Crocker, Danfortb, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hol-
lis, Howl. mil. Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Pearl, Per-
hani, Plimpton, J. B. Bichardson, H. W . Richard-
son, Roberts, Rust, E. H, Sampson, O. H. Samp-
sod, H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Sheiiard, Smith,
J. F. Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster,
Wolcott, Wyiuan— 34.
Absent or not voting— Coe, Pierce, Pope, Sibley
Mr. Barry moved mat farther consideration of
the subject be specially assigned to next Thurs-
day evening at nine o'clock," and called for the
yeas and nays upon the question.
Mr. Thompson did n't object to a reasonable
amount of debate, but the motion was made
purely for purposes of delay, and he felt justified
in moviug the previous question.
Mr. Barry denied that the motion was made for
delay ; he should vote against the commission and
he wanted to give his reasons.
Mr. Brawley thought courtesy demanded fur-
ther time; only one side had discussed the ques-
tion.
Mr. Crocker reminded Mr. Brawley of the last
meeting, wheojMr. Spenceley insisted upon the
rule limiting debate on laying on the table.
Mr. McGaragle said there was no need of hurry,
as the matter is before the Legislature.
Mr. Flynn moved to table, and called for the
yeas and nays.
The Chair said he thought that motion dila-
tory.
Mr. Barry wanted the issue met and discussed
fairly and squarely. If a majority wanted the
commission, he would wash his hands of it; but
he wanted an opportunity to give his reasons.
Mr. Spenceley quoted from Sis remarks at the
last meeting to show that he desired delay to
give time tor investigation ol the merits and de-
merits of the question.
Mr. Rosnosky said that if it was so good a
thing it would keep another week.
Mr. McGaragle said it was four minutes of
twelve o'clock, and that was a good reason for
laying it ovei.
Sir. Webster said that he noticed that when ne
was in the minority he wanted more time, and
when in the majority he wanted to clinch a mat-
ter. He hoped it would not be postponed.
Mr. Barry said two wrougs do not make a right,
and Mr. Webster should be generous.
Mr. McGaragle thought the miuority ought to
have an equal chance with the others.
Mr. Brawley said the desire to carry a point is
one thing, but to ask for delay is another. If he
was in the majority he would vote to give time
for debate, as he bad done on a previous occasion.
Mr. Burke moved to adjourn.
Mr. Thompson raised the point that no business
had been transacted since the last action on a
motion to adjourn.
The Chair ruled that debate in this sense was
the transaction of business.
The question on adjournment was put, and, the
Chair being in doubt, on motion of Mr. Thomp-
son the yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr. McGaragle asked it the Council could trans-
act business on a legal holiday, it then being past
twelve o'clock.
The motion to adjourn was lost— yeas 33, nays
'34:
Yeas— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelfey, Ken-
dricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey,
McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, Spenceley, J. Tay-
l or, Thorndike, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley— 33.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby.
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hol-
lis, Howland, Lauten, Mowry. Nation, Perham,
Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, "M. W. Richardson,
Roberts, Bust. K. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H. N. Sawyer, X. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith. J. F.
Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster, Wol-
cott, Wyman— 34.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Coe, Pearl, Pierce,
Sibley— 4.
The' motion to table was put, and the Chair be-
ing in doubt, the yeas and nays were ordered on
motion ot Mr. McGaragle. The motion was lost-
yeas 33, nays 34:
Yeas — Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, \.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Denny, Devlin,
Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley, Ken-
dricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey,
McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, Spenceley, J.Taylor,
Thorndike, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley— 33.
Nays — Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill,
Hollis, Howland, Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Per-
ham, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Rich-
ardson, Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H.
Sampson, H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard,
Smith, J. F. Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward,
Webster, Wolcott, Wyman -34.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Coe, Pearl, Pierce,
Sibley— 4.
Mr. Rosnosky moved to adjourn. Declared lost.
Mr. McGaragle doubted the vote, and on his mo-
tion the yeas and nays were ordered and the mo-
tion to adjourn was lost— yeas 25, nays 34:
Yeas— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Cox, Devlin, Dry-
nan, Flyun, Kelley, Lovering, McDonald, Mc-
Gahey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullen, O'Connor.
Roach, Rosnosky, Sautry, Spenceley, Thorndike,
Wilson, Woolley— 25.
Nays— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hol-
lis. Howlaud, Lauten, Mowry, Nason, Perham,
Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M. W. Richardson,
Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H.N.Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, J. F.
Taylor, Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster, Wol-
cott, Wyman — 34.
Absent or not voting —Messrs. Coe. Denny,
Doherty, Fernald, Kendricken, Kidney, Mullane,
Pearl, Pierce, Sibley, J. Taylor, Whicher— 12.
Mr. Crocker called attention to the fact that
many gentlemen were leaving the room, so as to
leave the Council without a quorum.
on motion of Mr. Crocker the roll was called to
ascertain if a quorum was present:
Present— Coolidge, Brown, Clapp, Colby. Crock-
er, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Hollis,
Howland, Lauten," McDonald, Mowry, Nason, Per-
ham, Plimpton, J. B. Richardson, M.W. Richard-
BOO, Boberts, Rust. E. H. Sampson, O. H. Sampson,
H.N.Sawyer, N.Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, J. P.
Taylor. Thompson, Toppan, Ward, Webster, Wol-
cott, Woolley, Wyman— 3C.
Absent— Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N. Y.
Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Coe, Cox. Denny, Dev-
lin. Doherty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lovering, McGahey, McGar-
agle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Connor,
Pearl, Pierce, Roach, Rosnosky, Santry, Sibley,
Spenceley, J. Taylor, Thorndike. Whicher, Wilson
—3."..
A quorum was present.
The main question was ordered, and the order
was passed in concurrence.
On motion of Mr. Sampson of Ward IT, the rule
was suspended, and he then moved a reconsid-
eration of the passage of the order, hoping it
would not prevail.
Mr. Spenceley moved to adjourn. Lost.
The reconsideration was lost.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Brown of Ward 23.
61
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF BOS TON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
FEBRUARY <25, 1878.
Regular meeting at Tour Vclock P.M., Alder-
man Siehbins, Chairman, presiding.
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS.
Coal Weigher— Alonzo H. Stowell. Confirmed.
Special Police Officer— Thomas Merritt. Con-
tinued.
Undertaker— John M'Caffrey. Confirmed.
PETITIONS REFERRED.
To Committee on Nomination oj Wetjher and
Inspector oj Lighters, i. J. .daiiiu, iur cuiel of
said "rtir^.
To the Committee on Claims Lucy A. Sidwell,
to lie paid Im pel -on.il ii. juries received on ac-
count ol an allege i defect hi sidewalk 154 Welister
street. John McDermott, to he paid lor personal
injuries r-ceived while In the employ ol the city.
To the Committ e e on Lamps. Michael F. Lynch
1 1 nl , i ii.i t .-.iin.- actio. • tie taken 10 cause a re-
dui'lion in the price ol gas in l he Dorche.-ter Dis-
trict; G. Warren Allen et at , that I \inps he locat-
ed in passageway rear ol Columnus avenue,
Holyoke -tieet an l Berwick nark.
To the Committee on Health on the Dart of the
Jioard. Lamm A.Noycs, lor le.ive 10 excavate
his cellar at 257 Sunnier street to a depth two feet
helow e-t ihh.-heii grade.
Petitions lor leave to occupy stables —P>y L S.
Howard, new wooden, two horses, Lincoln slieet,
Ward 24; C. E Paige, old wooden, two additional
horses, 012 Finh street; H. S. Lawrence, new
wooaen, one h.ii-i-, 2.S28 Washington street; Mark
Mor-e, new brick, 2 horses. Athens street, rear
Cb in factoiy.
To the Committee on Paving. S D. Smith et
a/., in j i gutter* on Alt. Veiuon sireet, W»st Kox-
burx, be paved; Edward P. McNullx, to he com-
pensated lor damages to his property caused hy
change ol grade on Savin Hill avenue; Conk &
H am iv, lo be allowed compensation from the i i y
for Bpriiikllog a portion t>l Duilex sireet in 1877;
A. B. Pratt, lor license for watering streets; Isaac.
PratC Jr., et al., that Gordon, AShlord, Linden
and Cbel>ei stieets he macadamized, elc; George
F. Parker et al , ibat North Beacon street, irom
Uniou square lo the Watenown line, he mat ad-
amized ; Steiiben Hill et al , that Franklin sireet,
Ward 25, be raised aim macadamized; Swam* &
George, ior lea ve to set telegiaph poles on West-
ern avenue and Market street, Brighton. Thomas
Doane, ibat the new street leading Irom Wesley
street, Cliarlestown, he called Hidden row.
HEARING ON PETITION FOB STEAM ENGINE.
i be petition of Moultna & Goodwill, for leave
to loca e and Use a steam engine and holler al 119-
123 Water street, was considered on an order of
DotlCe lor a hearing. No one appeared to object,
and the petition was referred to the Committee ou
Steam Ei giues.
SOUTH BOSTON RAILROAD.
A hearing was bad on the petition of the South
Koslou Kadioad Company for a location ol tracks
in ceilatn streets and over Dover-street Bridge;
also ior leave to u>e the tracks ol Metropolitan
Railroad Company in Alilk, State, Congiess and
Devonshire streets.
Mr. Crosby, president of the petitioning cor-
poration, said the location was uo° ineielv a mat-
ter ot convenience, tiut of necessity. The only
means ol communication with the cny at present
hy horse citis is by Federal-street Bridge, which
lias heen obstructed by collapse of a sewer, fire
and rioioiis proceeding*, and there was no c -
uitiuication with the ciiy proper by cars while
the budge was clo-ed. There is quite a laige
amouut ot travel daily between South Kosion
and the Souib End, and Mr. Crosby read leiters
to show that tneie are South Ko-lnn pupils In the
higher schools as lollows: Girl*' High, 85; Public
Latin, 44; English High. 102; Nonual School, 18.
Camnrioge and Cliarlestown are hoib connei ted
with Hon too by two I ridges in which aie boise-
car tracks, aim travel in never slopped between
the city ami those places. He explained the loute
and presented a plau ol the same. The South
Boston and Metropolitan companies have been
the only ones which have ever done anything to
relieve tue Mock in fremont street, and the latter
part "if the petition is to enable this company to
run some ol Its depot cars via Milk street.
Mr. « oolidge, engineer lor tbeSouib Koston
Railroad* testified that the hum' er of persons
who went over ihe Dover-street Bridge and the
Broadway extension, as taken by bun, was as fol-
lows: Ou Fen. 15, 3702 persons win loward South
Boston, and 3419 went irom South llo-ton; on the
I61 h, 4160 went toward South Huston, aud 3518
from South liosioii ; on Feb. 20,3583 went toward
South Boston, aud 3544 from Souih Koston. Over
Broadway extension— Fed. 19, toward South Bos-
ton, 4314. liom South Boston. 4319; on tbe 20th,
4020 toward South Boston, and 3098 Irom South
Boston. He had measured the distance irom
where tbe proposed new track starts from the
loot of Broadway to Dover street and Hairison
avenue aud to tbe corner of Beach and Washing-
ton streets, aud louud that tbe new route would
save a distance 01 7700 leet, and by the new route
via Dover sireet the uistance was 2220 feet, a sav-
ing ot 4445 feet. If a person wauted to go tbe
same way by i he Highland road tbe new route
would he a saving ol 5220 leet If one were going
to Alt. Pleasant, the Saving over the Metropolitan
road would he 11(H), aud by the Sbawmut avenue
route 6000 leet. He rode over the route from the
loot ol hradway to Federal-street Bridge and
Harrison avenue to Williams Market, and it took
some seventeen minutes, aud walked back hy the
new route in seven aud a hall niiuute-. The dif-
ference in time, 11 he bad ridden, would be about
twelve minutes.
Mr. Crosby her? rested tbe case.
P. A. Collins appeared for a committee of six-
teen appointed al a meeting ot citizens in South
Boston Saturday evening, and pieseuted resolu-
tions passeo at tbe meeting. Mr. Collins said that
a lew years ago he had occasion to collect statistics
in regard to the daily travel to and Irotu South
Boston over Federal-street Bridge. There were
about 225 vessels passed up and down the outer
draw ol the outh Bostou bridges, 17,000 teams,
800 horse cars and about 45,000 people on loot; and
about 10,000 people directed their steps toward the
soutberu part ol tbe city rather than down town.
The people of South Boston have felt that they
weie rather put aside and not treated as olber
sections ot the city are. There is only one means
ot communication hy car with the city, and none
diiect with the South End and Highlands. Mr.
Collins called W. W. Nichols, who said the people
unanimously desired tins privilege. Filteeu thou-
sand people pass over Dover-street or Kioadway
Kridge d«ily, and this rouie would he a great con-
venience to them. Tbe people should be consid-
ered iu this matter, and not the railroad compa-
nies.
Senator Thomas Gogin of South Boston spoke
01 the large number 01 pupil- going Irom South
Koston to tbe Girls' High School at the South
End, many ol whom remained ai home in gloomy
weatnei becau-e tbeir pareuts could not afford to
pay tumble lares. He said the newspapers bad
put words 1 11 1 11 his mouth that he never uttered
at the Saturday evening, and be presumed it was
the case with other speakeis there. He thought
th proposed route would save the children a
great deal ot time in going to school.
Charles J. Noyes said no section was so poorly
accommodated 1 y horse cais as South Boston. and
they do not have ibe facilities they are entitled to.
The sentiment there is unanimous in lavor ol this
petition, and tbe people bave reason to feel it.
Thetilteen tbou-aml people who walkover the
Dover-stieet and Kroadway bridges are entitled
to some consideration.
Mr. Reed, theTieasurer of the South Koston
road, s. id th it the average number of transfer
tickets used hetweeu June and Deceintier was
46,300 per mouth by people who go to the South
End. A limit 40,000 ol these are Metropolitan and
ahout 6100 aie Highland tickets. About seven-
eighths ot these persons, be bail reason to believe,
went, above Dover street. He knew that hy count-
ing 1 ho e who leave the cars on Harrison avenue.
Mr. Choate, President 01 the Old Colony Rail-
road Company, appeared to protest against tbe
granting ol tiiis petition. Tnev bave no pecunia-
ry iuteiest in the petition, hut they thought tbe
danger which must lollow the granting of this
petition compelled tbeiu to come here. He ex-
plained the location of the engine houses of tbe
road. There are lorty trains a day, and lor each
tram in and out tbe engine must pass Doverstreet
twice, which would make 160 times daily. That is
FEB RU A 33. Y 25
18 7 8
82
the case at this season of the year; in the summer
the number would be greatly increased. It would
be something like 200 daily. By actual count ou last
Friday the whole number of locomotives which
passed that point between 7 A. M. and 7 P. M. was
184,averaging fifteen an hour,or one in five minutes.
He submitted that the horse cars could not be run
there without danger to the passengers both by
horse and steam cars. Men will sometimes fail in
vigilance, and he felt that some time there would
be an accident at this point if this petition is
granted. He suggested that the Broadway ex-
tension .vould be a much more preferable route.
Mr. Choate was questioned by Paul H. West in re-
gard to the Old Colony crossing in South Boston
and the comparative danger attending the pas-
sage of cars and teams. As a rule the gates are
shut, but once or twice an engine has run through
a gate.
Mr. Kendrick, Superintendent of the Old Colony
Railroad Company,^>resented a plan of the cross-
ing and the location of the round houses, etc.,
which Mr. Choate explained. He considered the
crossing the most dangerous one the road had.
There are four men employed at the gate, part of
the time two, and part three.
Mr. Powers, President of the Middlesex Rail-
road Company, inquired how it is proposed to
use the tracks of his road in Washington street,
and Mr. Crosby explained that it was to run some
of the depot cars via Milk street, for which he
would come to the Board and ask permission at
the proper time.
Mr. Richards, President of the .Metropolitan
road, said that a portion of the petition, as usual,
asks for leave to enter upon the tracks of the
company he represented, and were it not for that
he would not remonstrate. The President of the
South Boston road had not said how many cars he
desires to run or how often and for what purpose
over Dover-street Bridge, to intersect the Metro-
politan tracks, and he puts a tail to his kite by
asking to run cars on the new tracks lately laid
by the Metropolitan road. The South Boston
President was very unassuming. Awhile
ago his directors did him the honor to reelect him,
and selected some smart and energetic gentlemen
to act with him ; and this looked as though they
must do something smart and quick to show that
they are going to give the people of South Boston
more advantages than they ever had before; and
after cogitating upon it they thought the best
thing was to pitch into the Metropolitan road and
take away some of their business, which has be-
come a settled characteristic with all the rail-
roads. They had also imitated the example of the
Highland road in regard to the Columbus-avenue
tracks, and got up a public meeting, which was
no doubt well attended, and though the speakers
were a little intemperate in what they said,
they have come here and taken it back. They
had" worked the people of South Boston up to a
most extraordinary degree and persuaded their
eminent legal citizens to come here ; but the ouly
evidence they have presented is that a few school
Children want to go to the South End. They had
not presented so good a case as did the Lynn &
Boston and the Cambridge roads. As an individ-
ual and a taxpayer he desired the people of South
Boston to have all the accommodation they need-
ed. He had lived at the South End twenty-three
years, and in walking down Washington street
he would be as much surprised to see a South
Boston man as he would be to see Sitting Bull
himself; and he was not aware until to-
day that so many South Boston people toiled over
the Broadway extension and Dover-street Bridge
to the South End. If they got this location he did
not believe seventy-five out of eighty school girls
would walk to the Normal School ; rather would
they buy a Metropolitan or Highland transfer
check and ride. Last year the South Boston Com-
pany bitterly opposed an omnibus line over this
same route; they asked his assistance and he
heartily joined with them. They used the same
arguments against the coach line that he now
uses against this location; andif they felt sure that
the Board would not license the omnibus line they
would never have come here in the world. But
they want to secure the business of the Metro-
politan road, which first put its capital into this
enterprise: and when he comes and asks the
Board not to let another line take away the
honest earnings he is sneered at, and the Board
are sneered at because lib asked it. But if there
is a man at the Board to whom he had said a word
against the petitions of other roads, in the sense
of log-rolling, let him rise and say so, and he
would never show his face in the hall
again. The Metropolitan road can get no
more rights from the Board than it is
entitled to. The company had built up
the outlying sections, and" did not deserve
to have its business given to another. The Broad-
way extension was a much better route than this,
and they could come down Albauy street, against
which he would not say a word. But he protested
against the invasion of the honest rights of his
company in Washington street. There are 626
cars a day passing the corner of Dover and Wash-
ington streets, 396 of which pass through Harri-
son avenue, and 191 cars pass through Dover
street from Tremont street. The strongest oppo-
sition to the recently laid track n Washington
street was from the abutters near Cobb,
Bates & Yerxa, the narrowest part of the
street. He did n't believe any more cars
could go there. It was not right to put them
there, both on account of the crowded state of the
street, and because of its taking away the Met-
ropolitan busiuess. He could fill twenty Wait's
Halls with meetings in favor of running his cars
to South Beston. In reply to Mr. Choate Mr.
Richards said he had two or three dangerous
crossings on his roads and they had come so near
killing people as to make the hair stand on end.
Mr. Coolidge was recalled and gave the number
of times the gates at Dover-street Bridge were
shut across the street as 148 on Feb. 15, or
11 53-100ths minutes of every hour, averaging
1 4-10ths minutes at each opening. There were
two men operating the gates. At the Causeway-
street crossing of the Boston & Maine road the
gates were shut fifteen times between 5 and 6 P.
M., averaging one minute in shutting. Four men
were employed there.
Joseph A. Torrey was called by Mr. Crosby, and
stated that on Feb. 20 and 21 he counted the num-
ber of passengers going to the South End from
the corner of Beach street and Harrison avenue
between 8 A. M. and 6 P. M.; 49 got in and 67 got
out between Beach and Dover streets, and in
eighty-two trips, 149 passengers got in and 16 got
out. The cars were about half tilled in the mid-
dle of the day. From Williams Market to the cor-
ner of Summer street, 73 got in and 7 got out one
way, and 76 in and 9 out the other way.
Mr. Crosby said that all they would take from
Mr. Richards's cars was shown to be very small,
and they would pay three cents mileage and re-
ceive one cent. The cars by this route were to
run down Washington street to Summer, and out
again by Milk, Hawley and Harrison avenue to
Dover street again. They wanted to run from
seven to ten cars an hour. In summer the travel
will be largely increased over the bridge.
Mr. Collins said South Boston peopl- were met
by a much more dangerous railway on Federal
street; but horse cars can be stopped by brakes;
a team cannot if the horse becomes unmanagea-
ble. The question for the Board is, whether pub-
lic convenience and necessity require that South
Boston people shall be accommodated the same
as other sections. He doubted if all the lawyers
and orators in South Boston could make so pa-
thetic an appeal to the Board. All classes de-
sire to go to the South End, and people
in other sections desire* to go to South Boston;
and they desire to go by the most convenient
mode of conveyance. He cared not what any of
the railroad corporations wanted; he wanted to
see the people accommodated. He spoke at some
length in answer to the plea that the Broadway
extension is a better 'route, dwelling upon
the fact that it would not carry them
where they wanted to go. There" is al-
ways danger in travelling, and he admitted
the danger of the Dover-street crossing; but he
considered the Federal-street crossing the most
dangerous in the city. If two men are not suffi-
cient to make the Dover-street crossing safe, they
should employ four men.
Mr. West explained the statute regulating the
crossing of steam tracks by horse railroads, and
said the horse railroad company and the public
were willing to take the risk.
The petition was recommitted to the Committee
on Paving.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Report and order for Street Commissioners to
lay out as public streets the avenues leading to
the ferry slips from Commercial to Sumner
street.
In reply to a question by Alderman Haris, Al-
derman McLeau stated that these avenues had
83
BOARD O'F ALDERMEN
never been laid out as public streets, and though
the Street Commissioners were in tavor of doing
so, they preferred to have an order from the City
Council requesting them to do so.
Alderman Harris ilia not object to the meas-
ure, Out thought it should emanate from the
Street Commissioners, and on his motion the or-
der was referred to that Board.
Sent down.
Report ami order allowing the Directors of
feast Boston Ferries to contract for fuel tor the
next financial year. Passed.
Sent down.
Report and orders to allow the Directors of East
Boston Ferries to purchase a new boat and to sell
the old boat "General (I rant."
Aldennau Harris asked for some explanation as
to the expediency ot this.
Alderman McLean snid the Grant is a spare
boat, too long tor the service', more expensive
to manage than a ferry boat should be, and takes
longer to load and unload her than is convenient.
She is also unwieldy, and a dangerous boat to
use. It is deemed best to dispose of her, and pro-
cure another spare boat to use in case of one of
the other boats being disabled.
Alderman Viles said he had been on the Ferry
Committee for three years, and heartily concurred
in this order. At the time the Winthrop was
buiit he thought the Grant ought to be sold in-
stead of the Adams.
The orders were passed after an amendment,
offered by Alderman Harris, was adopted, insert-
ing that, the sale should tie made "after public ad-
vertisement" shall have been made. Sent down.
Order lor the Inspector of Buildings to report
the names and locations of all public buildiDgs
not provided with proper facilities ol egress, etc.
Laid on the table, on motion of Alderman McLean,
i#ho said be made the motion with the consent of
the mover, as the Inspector expected to make a
report ou the subject shortly, and the passage of
this order might interfere with some facts of the
report.
Order for Chief of Police to enforce the exist-
ing ordinances and orders relating to obstructions
in the public streets. Passed.
COMMON AM) PUBLIC <;l!OI Mis.
The report and order in favor ot placing the
charge of the Common and public grounds in the
hands of the Paik Commissioners were considered
under unfinished business, the question being on
the passage of the order.
Alderman Slade— 11 I am right, it is sixteen
years since the only public ground in Boston was
the Common. I think it. is about sixteen years
since they commenced to improve the Public
Garden, and during that time we have annexed
three or four cities with their public grounds; and
I believe in nearly every instance, with the excep-
tion of Charlestown — the two squares there were in
good condition— all of our public giounds have
had to he created, and some ot' them at very
great expense. If I am rightly informed, every
piece of ground that the city owns has been grad-
ed, and is quite complete with the exception of a
little grading around the monument, and a little
grading to what is called Orchard Park. How
much will ever be done to that piece of ground 1
don't know. Now, I will not attempt to name the
grounds that the city owns as public parks, but in
the meantime Commonwealth avenue has been
taken care of by the Committee on Public
Grounds and built at a great expense. 1 believe
it has cost aboc.t ten thousand dollars for each
square, to build and fence it and do all the work,
and grade and bring them up to the splendid con-
dition that they are in now. I believe 1 have
stated all the grounds that need grading whatev-
er, and all that has to be done to the public
grounds now is to keep them in order anil in the
condition that they are now in. It is a matter ot
taste with us, whether they are well kept, or not,
and whether there are too many trees and flow-
ers, or not enough — some believing that there are
not enough trees and some pro and con, and al-
most every man has his taste. Within the last
year, since I have been on the committee, it has
been my pleasure to show our public grounds to a
great many people from abroad. We all know
that it has been noised far and wide that the pub-
lic grounds of Boston are the most beautiful that
can be found anywhere in this country ; and I am
assured by people in Boston who have been across
the water and visited places that we have read
about there, that, arriving in our own city, they
have found our own public grounds more beauti-
ful than anything they have seen anywhere else.
I don't see how it could be possible for any spot to
be made more beautiful than the Public Garden
and Commonwealth avenue and many of the
small public parks of the city of Boston. In view
of all these facts, I don't see why we should want
to put it out of our bauds and put it in charge of
the Park Commissioners. When this subject of
parks was first talked about, the Park Com-
missioners volunteered, without pay, to make the
selections from the different grounds around
Boston to carry out the idea that was ex-
pressed by the majority of the people a
few years ago that some public parks were
necessary. They volunteered to do that, and
have done so. Now, why shall we ask those men
to take this business and carry it on without pay?
For one, I should be ashamed to say that I, as a
member of the Committee on Common, felt un-
qualified, or, with a good Superintendent, was n't
willing to have it done. Trtere is no rilling or
grading to be done; we have simply to take care
of the surface and plant such shrubbery and flow-
ers as are necessary. Now, I should be ashamed
to ask the Park Commiss'ioners to do this work
without pay. If I was sent here for any purpose
it was to do my part of this work, or any other
piece ot work that comes before us. If 1 am not
willing to do it I have no business here. Every-
body knows I am opposed to commissions any
way. This will be a non-paying commission, to be
sure, but that is so much worse, for it looks like
shirking the work on to somebody else. We see it
stated that the State ih paying four hundred thou-
sand dollars a year for commissions) and now that
the city of Boston is starting into commissions I
am opposed to it. I hope we shall try to take care
of the public grounds ourselves, for 1 should be
ashamed to say I was unqualified to do so.
Alderman Faunce— The Alderman asks what we
are here for. I suppose it is to do the business in
the best and most economical manner. In look-
ing over the Auditor's report for 1877, I find that
it takes about $750 to $800 per acre to take care of
our public grounds. Thirty-odd thousand dollars
a year are spent on Boston Common; seventeen
hundred dollars a year for a little park in Rox-
bury, with no flowers or grass, and i believe with
very little grading. My object in wishing to
change this is for economy's sake entirely. ' We
h^ve a beautiful garden, but I think it can be
carried on for a very much less expense. He says
it is too much work for those gentlemen to do.
We haven't asked them to do it; they have of-
fered to do it. It seems to me, as a matter of
economy in expenditure, they had better have
charge of it.
Alderman Slade— I cannot see where this econo-
my comes in. I don't know that there has n't
been thirty thousand dollars expended annually
on the Common. Last year there were several
thousand dollars spent upon the hill around the
monument, and it created a terrible scandal.
That monument has cost the city nearly two hun-
dred thousand dollars. The Monument Commit-
tee desired that there should be something done
to make the grounds around it correspond to the
great work that has been placed there. I agree
that the money should have been asked for and
contributed by the city before the work »vas com-
menced; but I don't see how it could be done for
less. I don't see how these commissioners could
do the work for any less. They are only going to
be superintendents. As I said, we need n't do
half as much as we have done. It will cost about
fifty-four thousand dollars a year to take care of
the pcblic grounds where it lias cost seventy-five
thousand In previous years. This is all because
there is no grading to be done. Gentlemen can
remember when the Frog Pond was a mud hole,
and when the whole ground that is beyond what
is called Flagstaff riill was a low, muddy, filthy
place. That has all been filled np and brought up
to a beautiful grade and I have never heard
anybody find any fault with it. I don't see
how the work can be done any better by. these
commissioners than it can be by this committee.
1 pretend to know something about it, and I think
there are other members of the Hoard who know
something about it. Whoever is Superintendent
of Common, all we have got to do is to tell him
that he must n't spend so much money. I have
no doubt the labor will be hired at less this year
than last year, as there seems to be a desire to
reduce the price of labor a trifle. But I don't be-
lieve there has been much labor thrown away. I
don't know whether the committee were justified
in employing so many men last year or not, but
FEBRUARY 25, 187 8.
84
still there was a very large number of laboring
men out of employment last year, and almost every
one claimed that he had a right to a part of this
work; and there was a portion of the time, per-
haps I might say a large part of the time, during
the six months that the work was done a part of
the men were changed once in two weeks. They
were not changed because it was the desire of the
Superintendent or the committee, but it was the
terrible pressure that the laboring men brought
to get a few weeks' work to buy a ton of coal or a
barrel of flour, and it is possible that the work
was n't ctone so economically as it might have
been done. This committee can do all that the
Park Commissioners can do if they see tit, and I
don't see how it is possible for the Park Commis-
sioners to do this work any cheaper or give any
better satisfaction to the people than the commit-
tee have done with a superintendent. I, for one,
want to try it, and I hate to give it up.
Alderman Guild— I don't think the real point in
this matter has been touched. I propose to go at
it fearlessly, and handle it without gloves. I have
some documentary evidence that I propose to
submit, and I do not intend to make any very ex-
tended remarks; but what I do say, I propose to
back up by accepted evidence. In the first
place, the necessity for a permaneiit system in the
management of the public grounds of the city
must be apparent to every one. There is a large
amount of work which can be profitably planned
for at least a year in advance. The laying out and
beautifying of grounds can be carried on one year
at a time, without reference to the future, but no
private citizen manages his gardens and lawns in
this way. The best results are not attainable, but
the greatest expense is involved, under this
system. No one knows what is to be need-
ed next year until next year comes, and
the result is that many opportunities for econ-
omy are lost, from lack of permanence in the sys-
tem. The Park Commission will have the care of
the new parks. It is fair to suppose that it will
be composed of men who are experts in this busi-
ness — men of cultivated taste and trained judg-
ment— and they will devote their close attenton
to this question. Surely no one will claim that a
committee of the City Council, shifting every
year, can do this work as well as such a commis-
sion. Even more important than this is the
necessity for removing all outside influences
which now interfere with the economical man-
agement of the public grounds. No one who is
familiar with the matter doubts that on this ac-
count the present system costs the city thousands
of dollars every year. Whatever other qualities a
City Forester may possess, it is certain that he will
be human. No man in his place, dependent upon
the votes of the Aldermen and Councilmen for his
position, can be independent of their influence.
This is not a matter of opinion merely, but is
rather one of historical fact. The joint special
committee of the last City Council appointed to
investigate as to the alleged neglect of duty in
this department went into this very fully. Their
finding is as follows, which I read from the print-
ed report of their investigations :
"The manner in which laborers are procured to
work on the Common and Public Garden (through
the 'influence' or by the recommendation of mem-
bers of the City Council) is an unqualified nuisance
and wrong; it has grown up under our system of
government, but it is bad in every particular —
bad for the Alderman or Common Councilman
who is put to the inconvenience of begging or de-
manding the situation sought for; bad' for the la-
borer who gets and holds his situation only
through the favor of the Alderman or Common
Councilman; and bad for the city which has to
pay for the services of a person sometimes ill-
qualified for the work, to be changed in a few
weeks for another still less qualified. Let it be
abolished! The city needs in this department a
permanent body of men trained to the work.
"The time will come, doubtless, when the Com-
mon and Public Garden will be under the custody
and care of trie Park Commissioners, aud that
time may not be very distant. When the exten-
sive system of parks now contemplated shall be
laid out, it will be very much more convenient to
have all the public pleasure grounds under the di-
rection of one board of officers."
It is worthy of note that among the names ap-
pended to this report are those of ex- Alderman
Hugh O'Brien and Alderman Clinton Viles of the
last ana present Board, neither of whom can be
charged with favoring the transfer of power to
commissioners, excepting where such a transfer
is absolutely demanded by great public exigen-
cies. But the facts brought out by the investiga-
tion showed them the need of change.
The public exigency is the same today as then;
it has not been removed* It should be distinct-
ly understood, I think, that whatever there
may have been deserving of criticism in the re-
cent management of the Common is due to the
system more than to the man who holds the posi-
tion of City Forester. The system will inevitably
lead to similar results, no matter who may fill the
place, or be on the committee. The remedy for
all these evils is evident. A commission composed
of men of cultured tastes, qualified by experi-
ence, free from outside influences, and un-
hampered by fear of offending ward pol-
iticians, devoting their time to a systematic
supervision of the work of beautifying and
caring for our public grounds upon a permanent
plan, — this will give us the largest and best possi-
ble results for the money expended and lat or per-
formed. The transfer is not only in the interest
of economy, but in the line of that civil-service
reform which lifts all public service out of the
realm of mere politics, and endeavors to conduct
all public business upon the business principle of
selecting men adapted to the work required of
them, and freeing them from all obligations which
hinder the faithful discharge of their duties. Those
are my reasons for favoring this measure, ex-
pressed as clearly, logically and succinctly as pos-
sible. I could go on and give my experience in
the Committee on Common and Squares, if time
allowed. The Alderman suggests a matter which
occurred to us in committee, and which I touched
upon incidentally only because of my desire not
to trespass upon'the time of the Board. The offi-
cers who have charge of the Austin Farm will
allow the use of it as a nursery for plants and
trees which may be used on the city's grounds by
the Park Commissioners. At present we neither
know or provide for next year's wants until we
come to the next year's business. The Committee
on Common and Squares this year may not be in
power next year. They find that they want
certain plants or trees, and must go into
the market and buy them at the best
rate they can. Under this permanent commis-
sion, composed as our commissions are of men
who have one, two and three years to serve, there
is a permanency which will be a very great meas-
ure of economy. That can be readily seen by any
one who has investigated this subject. I stand
here as the Alderman does — and I do not question
his honestv for a moment — to vote for the most
economical legislation for the city of Boston, in
order that the expenses may be reduced to a min-
imum, and to prevent abuses. As soon as abuses
are discovered, no matter who may be touched, I
shall feel warranted in advocating a system that
will remove them.
Alderman Slade— I should be willing to wager
the Alderman something that if the city of Boston
attempts to raise its own trees and shrubs it will
spend two dollars where it gets one dollar's worth.
When you can show me a forester that has ever
made much money out of the business, I should
like to see him. It seems to me that the argu-
ment of the Alderman, if carried out, would put
the paving, sewer and all the other departments
under a commission. I don't know why there is
n't just as much reason for placing all the depart-
ments in the hands of a commission as there is
for this one. I cannot see much difference. If
we go into this business, a few years will show it,
and I think we shall miss it if they go into the
business of raising shrubs ror the city". I call for
the yeas and nays on the passage of the order.
Alderman McLean — I am ordinarily in favor of
commissions for such great departments, as the
Police and Fire Departments and others: but I
am not fully convinced that it is my duty to vote
for a commission for this department, "i agree
with the chairman of the Committee on Common
and Squares, that abuses have grown up in this
department. Now, here is a department that
costs seventy thousand dollars a year, and we are
asked to place it under a commission who now
serve without salaries, which they will not be ex-
pected to do long. This commission was organ-
ized to lay out parks. It is barely possible that
the committee aid n't know everything that took
place last year, and therefore are not responsible
for it. This appears to be one of the departments
that does not partake of the same nature as the
Police or Fire or Water Department, where there
is such an immense amount of money at stake.
Now, if it should happen that for one or two years
sr>
BOARD OF ALDERMEN,
there has been a bad administration of the pub
lie grounds, it seems to me that it is not a matter
of such risk as other departments. I am not
ready to put the Street Department under a
commission as, my iriend has suggested. Itmay
lie that next year the Paving Department will be
overrun with applicants lor position from the
City Council, the samp, as I have no doubt, the
Park Department was last year; but here is a de-
partment where the expenditure was not large,
audit it should happen that the grounds have
not been skilfully cared for this year they may be
better taken care ol next year. I should like to
have a superintendent of Common and Public
(Irounds put in th.it position so that he would not
be subject to the votes of the City Council, and so
that he would be removed from such an influence.
I regret to have to vote against my Iriend the
chairman of the Committee on Ordinances in this
matter.
Alderman Guild— I have given the subject a
practical trial as a member or two committees on
Common and Squares, and this is the result of
that trial.
Alderman Yiles— It is well known that 1 am not
a great stickler for commissions; but l believe I
shall vote for this order. I have taith in the com-
mittee which has been appointed this year. And
I believe that after the shaking up the depart-
ment has had tor the past six mouths, the
duties will be well performed this year. But in
the absence of a minority- report from the Com-
mittee on Common and Squares, I shall vote for
the passage of this order.
The order was passed — yeas 7, nays 4.
Yeas— Aldermen Faunce, Guild, Hayden, steo-
bins. Viles, Whidden, Whiton— 7.
Nays— Aldermen Harris, McLean, Robinson,
Slade— 4.
Absent— Alderman Perkins.
Subsequently a motion to reconsider by Alder-
man Guild, hoping it would not prevail, was lost.
Sent down.
PAPERS I'KOM THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Report of Committee on Finance with order for
a transfer of $16,000 for purchase of additional
land lor public park ; also passage ol an order for
Park Commissioners to purchase such additional
land on Hack l!ay. Orders passed in concurrence
— yeas 11, nays 0.
The order for the Mayor to petition the General
Court for authority to enable the Board of Alder-
men to fix the salaries of the officers attending
the several courts of the couuty of Suffolk comes
up referred to the Committee on Legislative Mat-
ters. Concurred.
Certificate of election of William Doogue as Su-
perintendent of the Common, etc. Placed on tile.
BOND APPROVED.
The bond of George Coolidge, Superintendent of
Printing, being presented duly certified, was ap
proved. Sureties— F. W. Lincoln, J. W. Converse
JAIL EXPENSES.
A tequisition was received from the Sheriff of
Suffolk County tor $1354.73 for expenses at the
jail for February. Ordered paid.
PERMIT FOB WOODED BUILDING.
Alderman McLean submitted a report from the
Committee on Survey and Insoection of Build-
ings, with an order— That the Inspector of Build-
ings be authorized to issue a permit to B. F.
Sturtevant to erect on an unnamed place leading
from Union avenue, Ward 23, a wooden building
according to an application on file in the office of
the Inspector of 'Buildings, upon condition that
the foundation to the southeasterly side of the
proposed building be constructed and carried
down below the proposed level of the channel of
Stony Brook. Order read twice and passed. Sent
down.
LICI N8ES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows :
Minors' Applications Granted— Four bootblacks,
twenty-eight newsboys.
Amusement Licenses Granted— A. P. Peck, to
give fancy dress ball at Music Hall on March 4;
M. Mahony, to give athletic exhibition at Beetho-
ven Hall, provided it is subject to the control of
the police.
Carriage Licenses Granted— Henry C. Turner &
Co., southwest corner Washington street and
Chester square.
Wagon License Granted— A. G. Kain, 98 Hamp-
den street.
Junk Dealer Licensed— Frank Costa, 5S:; Shaw-
rnut avenue.
Severally accepted.
HEREF0RD-STREE1 1 ^TENSION.
Alderman Harris, from the Committee on
Streets on the part of the Board, submitted orders
to pay Caleb H. Warner and Charles F. Smith
$11,362.50, and (',. T. W. Braman and H. D. Hyde,
trustees, §7200, severally, for the proportion
chargeable to widening streets for the land taken
aud all damages occasioned by the extension of
Hereford street from Commonwealth avenue to
Boylston streei. Severally read twice and passed.
Subsequently Alderman' Whidden offered an or-
der—That the .Joint Committee ou Improved Sew-
erage be, aud they hereby are, authorized to ex-
pend from the appropriation for Improved Sewer-
age, for their proportion of the cost of land taken
ami damages occasioned by the extension of
Hereford street from Commonwealth avenue to
Boylston street, in which a portion of an inter-
cepting sewer is to be constructed, the sum of
fourteen thousand seven huudred and seventy-
five dollars. Bead twice and passed. Sent down.
n\ BR8EERS m I HE POOR.
Alderman Han is submitted a report nomina-
ting Alanson Bigelow, Henry L. Richards, Isaac
T. Campbell and Henry W. Pickering to sen
Overseers of the Poor for three years from the
first Monday in April next. Report accepted and
on motion of Alderman Harris a ballot was or-
dered. Committee— Aldermen Harris and McLean.
The nominees received eleven votes, the whole
number cast, and they were declared elected.
Sent down.
si PERIN itmiims in BRIDGES.
Alderman Harris submitted a report from the
Committee on Bridges, nominating superintend-
ents for bridges partly controlled by the city ol
Boston :
.lohu E. Pickell, Essex street Bridge.
Alberto. Hawes, Granite Bridge.
John Glavin, Xeponset Bridge.
David S. Lawrence and Adam Bowlby, Chelsea
Bridge.
William Norton, Cambridge, North Harvard
street, and Western-avenue Bridge to Cambridge.
A. I). Henderson, North Beacon street and
Western avenue to water town.
The report was accepted and said nominations
were confirmed.
CN8PEC rORS OF PRISONS.
Alderman Harris offered an order— That a spe-
cial committee be appointed to inspect the pris
and houses of detention within the county of Suf-
folk, and to make the examinations and reports
required by the statutes of the Commonwealth.
Read twice and passed, and Aldermen Harris,
Whiton and Faunce were appointed said commit-
tee.
PROJEC1 IM. SIGN.
Alderman Viles submitted a report from the
Committee on Police recommending that a per-
mit be granted to . John Maguire to place a let-
tered lamp in front of 638 Main street, Charles-
town. Accepted.
PERMITS FOB si xr.i.ES.
Alderman Yiles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health ou the part of the Board in
favor of granting permits to occupy stables by
Samuel G. Reed, Phillips street, Ward 22; Nasoh
& Littlefield, 118, 120, 122 Medford street. Sever-
ally accepted.
COMPENSATION lOK LOSS OS FOWLS.
Alderman Viles offered an order— That the City
Treasurer be directed to pay Mrs. J. M. Ordway,
living at No. •! Romsey street, Ward 24, the sum ot
six dollars, in full compensation for the loss of six
hens killed by dogs on ner premises; said sum to
be charged to the receipts for Dog Licenses. Read
twice and passed.
PAVING UEPORT.
Alderman Whidden submitted a report from
the Committee on Paving, of leave to withdraw
on petition of Mary Noonan for abatement of
edgestone assessment of $36 against her estate on
Boylston avenue, Ward 23. Accepted.
HACK FARES AT OLD SOUTH BALL.
Alderman Guild offered an order— That upon the
occasion of the ball to be given at the Music Hall,
on the 4th day of March next, in aid of the Old
South Preservation Fund, the rates of fare to be
paid for the use of hacks by persons returning
from the ball shall be established as follows:
FEBRUARY 25
187 8
86
In the city proper, for each carriage with
one passenger, $1.50; with two par-sengers,
$2; with three or more passengers, 3. In
going to the following-named portions of the
city there shall lie paid for i he use of each car-
riage ibf following rates, viz.: Ti> Koxliurv,#4; to
Soii'h Boston, $3; to East Boston, $4 iiul tolls; to
Charlestown, $3; to West Koxdury, Dor.hes'er
ami Brighton, *6. Reail twice and pas-ed, alter
an explanation that it was the usual order passed
on such occasions to regulate the rates to be
charged for puiilic hacks, and to secure the corn-
tort uf parties reluming from the ball.
EESIGNATION.
Alderman McLean resigned his position on the
committee to nominate Directors for East Bos-
ton Ferries, and th.n Board voted to excuse him.
Alderman VV bidden was appointed in his place.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Harris.
COMMON COUNCIL
87
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
FEBRUARY -Z&, 1878.
Regular meeting at 7V 2 o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the Chair.
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Reference co Committee on Finance of a request
of the School Board for an additional appropri-
ation of $51,450. Concurred.
Reference to Street Commissioners of a report
and order for said commissioners to lay out as
public streets the avenues leading to the ferry
slips liom Commercial to Sumner street. Con-
curred.
Report and order for a permit to erect a wooden
building in rear of I'nion avenue, to be issued to
B. F. Sturtevant. Order read twice and passed in
concurrence.
Appointment of Alderman Whidden on Com-
mittee to Nominate Ferry Directors, in place of
Alderman McLean, declined. Placed on file.
Order tor Committee on Improved Sewerage to
expend $14,775 for land taken and damages oc-
casioned by extensiou of Hereford street. Ordered
to a second reading.
Report and order allowing the directors of East
Boston ferries to contract for fuel for the next
financial year. Order passed to a second reading.
SALE OF FERRY-BOAT GENERAL GRANT, AMD
PURCHASE OF A NEW BOAT.
Report and orders came down authorizing the
sale of ferry boat General Grant, and purchase of
a new one.
The question was upon giving the orders a sec-
ond reading.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11— I hope -we shall have
some explanation of the necessity of this new boat
and the probable cost. If it is a proper order I
shall be willing to vote for it. Some time last
year there ..as read a letter in this chamber from
a director of the ferries, Mr. Kelly, in which he
said—
"lam confident we can accommodate double
the number of teams and five times as many foot
travel."
If that is so I think we ought to have some ne-
cessity for the purchase of a new boat.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24—1 hope we shall get a
little more information. I should like to know
how old this General Grant is, and in what condi-
tion she is. I notice by the report of the Board of
Aldermen that the new boat is wanted for a re-
serve boat. I think this General Grant is a re-
serve boat, and is lying there not in use. Before
we pass the order I should like to have a little
more information. I should like to know how old
the boat is, and in what condition she is, and what
she cost. I think the cost of this new boat is
somewhere about 840,000. I suppose the General
Grant cost very nearly that, if not more; but
when she came to be sbld, I suppose she would
bring about 83000.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2—1 wish to state tor the in-
formation of the gentlemen, that the reason for
selling the boat is not because the General Grant
is worthless, but this boat was originally built for
a ferry in New York, to run from New York to
Jersey City— a long route. She is a great deal
longer than the boats used on the East Boston
ferries. But the greatest objection is that the
boat cannot make running time. She interferes
with the running time of the other boats, which
is about 7*2 minutes. Besides that, the route
being so short and circling, the boat^s a little
giddy, and in fact not at all adapted for that short
route. She is in very good condition, and where
a boat could be sold she will bring a pretty fair
price foi a boat or that kind. I understand that
she has cost about §30,000 for repairs during the
time that the old ferry company had her and since
the city of Boston bought her. In fact, all the
boats today are in pretty good condition ; but I
understand from the directors, and this question
was talked in committee, that at certain seasons
of the year they require extra boats, especially on
those days when the large steamers come in from
Europe; and. the directors don't think it best to
trust to such an unwieldy boat as the General
Grant is. There are some other questions which
one of the directors, who is a member of this
Council, might answer.
Mr. Pearl of Ward 1 — The statement of the
chairman of the committee is correct; and there
is one other item— the General Grant is a very
expensive boat. As a matter of economy the di-
rectors thought she had better be sold. She is
thirty feet longer than the other boats, and can-
not make time well enough, as it takes a great
deal of time to load and unload teams. She is
very heavy and cranky in bad weather, and in-
jures the slips very much going in. It was the
opinion of all the directors, as a matter of econ-
omy, that they should have a new boat, and that
they should sell the old one.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11—1 should like to ask if it
was the unanimous report of this committee that
this purchase should be made.
Mr. Pearl — It was a unanimous request from
the directors, and I think it was a unarimous re-
port from the committee.
Mr. Burke— I would say now, that in my own
opinion, the statement of' Mr. Kelly was perfectly
correct. I know that the boats running today can
accommodate five times the amount of travel.
It is for the City Council to judge of this matter.
I suppose that the directors, like any other board,
are making provision for any emergency, and I
suppose the City Council will use their own judg-
ment about it.
Mr. Pearl — We have six boats — four good boats.
The Daniel Webster is twenty years old, and she
does well for a small boat. But when it is neces-
sary to use five boats, the Grant is not a proper
boat to use, especially in bad weather. And she
is a very expensive boat.
Mr. Barnard — I have n't yet had my question
answered. I should like to know, if I can, how
old this boat is, and in what condition she is, how
much she has been used, and how long she has
been lying idle. I don't know whether she was
bought under the direction ot the committee; I
should hardly suppose she was; but it seems to
me the experience tbey have had so far has been
rather costly. And they say she is an expensive
steamer to run, and we had better sell her: and
from the way the other boats have sold, it seems
to me the city would lose quite an amount.
Mr. Pearl — In regard to ner age, it I am right in
my information, I think she was a gunboat during
the war, and she had a new top put on her and
was bought by the old terry company some eight
oi ten years ago, and I am informed that she is
about twenty years old. She has cost the city of
Boston and the ferry company about .550,000 up to
the present time, and is never used except in case
of emergency, and she does more damage than
she is worth in crossing the harbor.
Mr. Mowry of Ward 11— I should like to ask the
chairman of the committee on the part of the
Council if this was a unanimous report of the
committee.
Mr. Burke— I would answer yes, it was.
The orders were passed to a second reading and
laid over.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
A report came down with certificate of election
of Overseers of the Poor.
The report was accepted in concurrence. On
motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19. an election
was ordered. Committtee— Messrs. Barnard of
Ward 24, Flvnn ot Ward 16 and McGahey of
Ward 7.
Whole number of votes 60
Necessary for a choice 31
Alansoi) Bigelow 60
Hfnry L. Richards 60
Isaac'T. Campbell 58
Henry W. Pickering 58
Oscar Hosmer 1
William Dodge 1
George H. Gordon 1
S . Smalley 1
And Messrs. Bigelow, Richards, Campbell and
Pickering were elected in concurrence.
MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AND PUBLIC GROUNDS.
An order came down to report an ordinance
to place the Common and public grounds under
the Park Commissioners.
The order was declared passed to a second read-
ing.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 doubted the vote,
and the Council were divided--30 for, 31 against.
Mr. Perham moved that the vote be taken bv
yeas and nays.
Mr. Spenceley— I rise to a point of order, that
the vote has been declared.
H8
COMMON COUNCIL
The President— The Chair thinks the motion not
in order.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 would ask if the
vote of Mr. M. W. Richardson of Ward 11 was
counted. He was out of his plaee when the vote
was taken.
Mr. Spenceley— I rise to a point of order, that
no business is before the meeting. Suppose the
gentleman was iu New York; he ought to have
been in his place.
The President — The Messenger Informs me that
the vote of Mr. Richardson was counted, although
he was out ot his seat. It is fair to say that the
Messenger informed me of that before* the vote
was announced.
The subject was again considered later in the
session.
Appointment on Committee— The President an-
nounced that Mr. Coe declined to serve upon the
special committee to investigate the expediency
of purchasing the Mercantile-wharf property, and
that he had appointed Mr. Mowry of Ward n in
Mr. Coe's place.
90HOOLHO! ses.
Request was received from the School Commit-
tee for the City Council to erect a sis-room pri-
mary school building on the lot of land uow owned
by the city Polk street, in the Charlestown District.
Referred .to Committee ou Public instruction.
Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
A petition was received from Dr. .1. <:. Harring-
ton to be compensated for injuries to horse and
sleigh by reason of alleged defect in Tyler street.
Referred to Committee on claims. Sent up,
By Mr. Mullane of Ward 12— Petition of Edward
J.Jenkins et nl., for additional ward accommo-
dations in Ward 12. Referred to Committee on
Public Buildings. Sent up.
By Mr. Colby ot Ward 18— Petition of George M.
King to be paid for the loss of a horse. Referred
to Committee on Claims. Sent up.
By Mr. Whichei of Ward 20— Petition oi A. 1).
Williams et al.. that the limits within wnich
wooden buildings en a he constructed be defined.
Referred to Committee on Survey and Inspection
of Buildings. Sent up.
EtEPOBT or THE INSPECTOR OF 111 [LDINQS,
Mr. McGaragle of Ward H presented the annual
report of the Inspector of Buildings. (City Doc.
94,) which was accepted and sent up.
The number of permits that have been issued
for the erection of new buildings, for alterations
and additions, for steam engines, boilers, fur-
naces, etc., and especially in the work of unsafe
buildings and fire escapes, has been in excels of
that of the previous year. As has been the cus-
tom of the department from the time ot its estab-
lishment, especial attention has been given
in the matter of the inspection of the erec-
tion of all new buildings, carefully noting im-
? roper methods of construction and deviations
rom prescribed building regulations. The sharp
competition, however, among builders has re-
duced profits to an exceptionally small margin, re-
sulting in a tendency, in many cases, to secure
them from out of the material and workmanship,
lather than from the amount of the contract.
In the matter of securing ample means of
-egress and fire escapes on certain classes ol build-
ings, required by law to be provided with them,
and which, upon inspection, appeared to be de-
ficient in these respects, has the attention of the
■department during the year been more particular-
ly directed, its first object being to secure a
proper compliance with the requisitions that had
been issued during the latter part of the previous
year upon our public buildings; and second, to
ascertain by au inspection of the buildings in the
city the location or our tenement, boarding and
lodging houses, hotels, charitable Institutions,
etc., the number of their inmates, the condition
of the buildings, tneir danger from tire, and the
facilities for egress maintained therein in case of
fire or accident.
To secure information on this subject, that in
all respects would be accurate and complete, it
was apparent that the system of inspection
should provide against omissions, and the plan of
numbering and inspecting by blocks, instead of
streets, was adopted. The work of this examina-
tion is progressing in a manner that is answering
the end for which it was instituted. The condi-
tion of each ot the above classes of buildings
being fully noted, a plan of the premises drawn,
and, upon completion, the reports will be bound
together into volumes, affording information that
heretofore has not been accessible.
The work of securing unsafe buildings, unsafe
walls, etc., has been unusually exacting, havinti
been much larger than during any previous year,
obliging the department in several cases, through
the delinquencies of the owners, to enter upon,
take down, or secure them, to the extent the safe-
ty of the public required.
There is generally great sensitiveness on the
part of owners to have the unsafe condition of
their buildings made a matter of public commeut,
and this feeling has been respected when a dispo-
sition on their part has been manifested to take
immediate measures to secure them.
The number of i erunts that have been issued
during the year for brick, stone and iron build-
ings, 205; permits issued for wood and frame
buildings, 532; permits issued to erect sheds sit-
uate upon wharves within the building limits of
the City, 13: buildings for which permits lu.ve
been issued to have additions built to them, or to
have alterations and repairs made upon them,
234.".; steam engines and steam boilers for which
permits have been issued to set, 154; ovens for
which permits have been issued to build, 21; kilns
for which permits have been issued to build, 1:
furnaces, 42; stills, retorts, etc., 13; notices re-
ceived of intention to put in heating apparatus,
481: street signs, lanterns and transparencies
examined, 21; public halls examined with
reference to granting a license to occupy the
same, 4; buildings upon which detailed reports
have been made with reference to tire-
escapes and means of egress, 2869; buildings ex-
amined that were damaged by tire, 349; hoistways
examined, 110; permits issued to occupy streets
for building purposes, 1239; buildings, walls, etc.,
reported to be in au unsafe condition, 220; chim-
neys reported unsafe, 388: detective Hues, 189;
unsafe heating apparatus. 126 : buildings reportea
as being deficient in means of egress and fire es-
capes, 144; violations reported, 833: cases referred
to the City Solicitor, 9; brick buildings completed
during the year. 191: wooden and frame build-
ings completed, .">0ii: buildings upon which com-
pleted alterations have been made, and to
which additions have been built, and upon
which repairs have been made, 2166; steam
engines set and furnaces and ovens built, 266;
heating apparatus set, 505, estimated cost of com-
pleted brick buildings, §4,283,775; estimated cost
of completed wood and frame buildings, $1,048,590:
estimated cost ol completed additions, alterations
and repairs, $1,114,290; estimated cost of steam
engines, steam boilers and the building of ovens,
furnaces, etc., $137,115; estimated cost of heating
apparatus set, $68,730; estimated cost of securing
unsafe buildings, unsafe walls, unsafe founda-
tions, etc., $18,816; estimated cost of protecting
hoistway openings, $3750; estimated cost of se-
curing dangerous chimneys, $5019; number ot ex-
aminations that have been made, 22,316; number
of notices issued, 989.
The number of permits that have oeen issued
dining the year by the Police Department and by
the Inspectors ol Buildings is as follows.
Permits in force -Ian. 1, 1877 109
Permits issued during the year 1,130
Total 1.239
Permits cancelled during the year 680
Permits revoked durine the vear 8
Permits in force Dec. 31, 1877 55G
Total 1,239
Prosecutions for violations of conditions of per-
mit 1
The number of buildings that have been ex-
amined with reference to means of egress and fire
escapes is 12,741. The whole uumber of buildings
upon which detailed reports have been made is
2809. ,
The number of violatio s that have been inves-
tigated and reported ou U 833.
This number does not include numerous viola-
tions that were removed on verbal notification.
but those only that from any cause it became nec-
essary to take official action.
The total number of brick and stone buildings
completed during the year is 191, at an estimated
cost of $4,283,775.
These buildings contain 42 stores, and are con-
structed to accommodate 271 families.
The total number of wooden and frame build-
ings completed is 506, at an estimated cost of
$1,048,590. These buildings contain 29 stores, and
are constructed to accommodate 390 families.
FEBRUARY 28, 1878
89
The total number of buildings upon which com-
pleted alterations have been made is 2165, at an
estimated cost of §1,114,290.
SECOND ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 submitted a report
from the Committee on Assessors' Department,
that it is inexpedient to give the principal As-
sessors the power of appointing the Second As-
sistant Assessors, and the order to report an
ordinauce to that effect ought not to pass. The
report was accepted, and the question on giving
the order a second reading was declared refused.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 doubted the vote,
and on his motion the yeas and nays were or-
dered.
The order was refused a second . reading— yeas
28; nays 36:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hibbard, Hill,
Mowry, Nasou, Perham, Pierce, Plimpton, J. B.
Richardson, Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, H. N.
Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Smith, Spenceley,
Thompson, Toppan, Webster, Wolcott— 28.
jj a ys — viessrs. Barry, B. Brintnall, N. Y. Brint-
nall, Burke, Cannon, Devlin, Doherty, Drynan,
Fernald, Flynn, Howland, Kelley, Kendricken,
Kidney, Lauten, Lovering, McDonald, McGahey,
McGaragle, McGeough, Mnllane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Pearl, M. W. Richardson, Roach, Rosnosky,
O. H. Sampson, Sibley. J. Taylor, Thorndike,
Ward, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley, Wyman— 36.
Absent or not voting— Brawley, Coe, Cox, Den-
ny, Hollis, Santry, J. F. Taylor— 7.
Sent up.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11 submitted a report
from the Committee on Assessors' Department
recommending the election of the following-
named persons to be Second Assistant Assessors:
Ward 1— Isaiah Whitten.
Ward 2— Albert H. Taylor.
Ward 3— John Bryant.
Ward 4— D. D. Taylor.
Ward 5— Dennis G. Quirk.
Ward 6— John Carviu, Michael D. Collins.
Ward 7— Edward J. Riley.
Ward 8— Thomas J. Anderson.
Ward y— Walter Harmon.
Ward 10— William S. Whitney, Increase E.
Noyes.
Ward 11— John R. Briggs, Jarvis D. Braman.
Ward 12— John Osborne, Jr., Alfred I. Wood-
bury.
Ward 13— Dudley Pray.
Ward 14— Hosea B. Bowen.
Ward 15— Daniel J. Holland.
Ward 16— W. W. Dromey.
Ward 17— Dudley R. Child.
Ward 18— Samuel P. Oliver.
Ward 19— Francis E. Hines.
Ward 20— Frederick H. Field, Edward W. Dolan.
Ward 21— John C. Cook, George Warren.
Ward 22— Patrick H. Rogers.
Ward 23— Edward P. Butler, John F. Payson.
Ward 24— William Withington, Joseph E. Hall.
Ward 25— George W. Warren.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 11— I would state to the
Council that Mr. Braman, whom the committee
nominated from Ward 11, declines to serve, and I
would suggest, after conferring with other mem-
bers of the committee, the name of Mr. James
Standish in place of Mr. Braman.
The report was accepted and the nominations
were laid over.
Subsequently Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 moved
to suspend the rule, in order to proceed to the
election of Second Assistant Assessors.
Mr. Mullen— I hope this motion will not prevail.
I desire to look over the list of those gentlemen
on the paper I find on my desk, for the purpose of
picking out what I consider the best men
for the nosition. I don't think the gentle-
men on the ticket are going to suffer by leaving
this matter over one week. I think, it is the usual
course in this Council. I hope the motion will
not prevail and not ballot tonight, from the
fact that some gentlemen think the nomina-
tions are not satisfactory, and I think in many
cases they are not competent. Therefore I wish a
little time for myself to look the matter over care-
fully.
The Council refused to suspend the rule, by a
division— 26 for, 28 against.
FIRE ESCAPES FOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11 submitted a repoit from
the Committee on Public Instruction, to whom
was referred the request of the School Committee
that suitable tire escapes be provided on the
*
buildings occupied by the Eatin and English High
schools in Bedford street, recommending that
such tire escapes be provided at once, and that
the request be referred to the Committee on Pub-
t lie Buildings. Report accepted and referred ac-
cordingly. Sent up.
CLAIMS.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 submitted reports of
leave to withdraw, from the Committee on
Claims, on petitions of Benjamin H. Stimson, to
be paid for labor and materials furnished the
steamer Henry Morrison; of Ann Morris, to be
compensated for personal injuries caused by an
alleged defect in Cambridge street, Charlestown;
William W. Wallace, to be compensated for per-
sonal injuries received by a city team ; of Thomas
Brown, <,o be compensated for personal injuries
caused by snow falling from the roof oc the
Charity Bureau on Chardon street. Severally ac-
cepted. Sent up.
BILLS ALLOWED.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11 offered the following :
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts allow
for payment the bill of Hall & Whipple, for $2.30,
for refreshments furnished the Committee on
Licenses of 1877, the same not having been pre-
sented at his office within three months of the
date of contracting the same, as required by the
22d joint rule of the City Council.
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts be au-
thorized to audit and allow for payment the fol-
lowing-named bills, which were incurred by spe-
cial committees of the City Council of 1877, ap-
proved by said committees, but not paid, in conse-
quence of the appropriations to meet the same
having been exhausted, viz.:
The Heliotype Printing Company, for map of
Army and Navy Procession $115.88
F. L. Gilman & Co.. for balance due on the two
historic, monuments at South Boston and
Boston Highlands 60.00
George J. Coyle, for loam delivered at the mon-
ument, Fort avenue, Boston Highlands 34.50
Said amounts to be charged to the appropria-
tions for Incidentals.
Severally ordered to a second reading.
COMMON AND PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Mr. ThoniDSon of Ward 9—1 move that the vote
whereby the" order in regard to putting the De-
partment on Common and Public Grounds in the
hands of the Park Commissioners was refused a
second reading be reconsidered. I hope it may be
reconsidered, and that we may have a different
disposition of the matter. It is a matter of great
importance; I think that the public are much in-
terested and that public opinion is much the
other way. The committee having the depart-
ment in charge have shown a disposition to test
the new system, and I think that out of compli-
ment to them we might join in their recommenda-
tion. I call for the yeas and nays.
Mr. Danforth of Ward 10— Some of the reasons
for reconsidering that voie 1 should like to say.
Since you have done me the honor to put me upon
that committee, I have investigated the manner
in which the Common and public grounds have
been carried on. It is evident that there has been
no system, and an entire lack of system. I have
investigated the bills and pay-rolls in the Audit-
or's office, and find the system of employment of
labor very bad; and I find that the committee
have voted that in no case shall over 145 men be
employed, and yet some months there were eigh-
teen and twenty more than that. There is no sys-
tem in making up the pay rolls. I find that in
purchasing the plants, to conduct the matter eco-
nomically there should be a permanent system. I
find there have been furnished by one firm fifty-
thousand plants, on which, if the committee knew
they were going to need them next year, there
could be at least twenty-five hundred dollars
saved, on those plants. I find that from convers-
ing with gentlemen who have places in the coun-
try that compare favorably with the Public Gar-
den, I find that the labor at Forest Hills amounts
to forty-five thousand dollars. It is a place of 177
acres. On the Public Garden it is thirty-seven
thousand dollars. On Forest Hills there is a large
amount of walks and plants set out,— 125,000
plants, and the city of Boston has (10,000
on the Public Garden. Everything about
the department is on that plan. It re-
quires a permanent system to carry on the
public grounds of Boston, and until" there is
a committee or a commission that will hold on
from year to year it can never be amply provided
for. The laborers employed on the public grounds
90
COMMON COUNCIL,
last year averaged twelve days. If you take from
thrm the men tbat had to be employed by the
month, the other men will not average seven or
eight days. Any gentleman knows that no garden
can be carried on in that way. The committee
have come to the conclusion that they are not
competent, and that no committee is competent,
to carry on the garden, with a prospect of being
changed every year. This year there is only one
on the committee who was on last year, anil last
year there was only oue who was on the year be-
fore. No committee knows what is to be done
next year. I hope the vote will be reconsidered,
and that we shall pass the order.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3—1 hope this reconsider-
ation will not prevail. 1 believe in commissions
to a limited extent. The larger departments
of the Government, like the Police, Fire
Department, and some others, I am entirely
in favor of placing them under commis-
sions. But the argument in favor of a com-
mission for this department is equally good in
favor of a commission for the Paving Depart-
ment, sewers and halt a dozen other departments.
If the rule that the committee in this department
is to be done away with and a commission should
be established iu a department as unimportant as
this, comparatively speaking, because the ex-
penditure is smaller than that of many others,
and the evil effects of the looseness of the system
is very little compared to any other departments,
if we are prepared to accept a new charter and do
away with committee work, let us meet the issue
direct. It seems to me that the issue in this mat-
ter has been dodged. An order which I had the
honor to offer was passed last year for an investi-
gation in regard to the management of the Com-
mittee on Common and Squares, and tbat report,
I think I can safely say, was very unsatisfactory,
and 1 don't think it satisfied the committee them-
selves. The great question we all wanted to rind
out was whether John Galvin tilled the bill,
whether he was a good superintendent and worthy
of our confidence, and whether there should
be a new man put in his place. What did the
committee do? They ignored that question en-
tirely; they brought" iu a report that the system
was 'wrong and that the committee were some-
what censurable, and that the department should
be transferred to the Park Commissioners. In-
stead of giving us a report, as we all wanted,
either exonerating or blaming the Superintend-
ent, instead of giving what was the common end
and aim of the investigation, tbey con-
demned the system. Even Alderman Guild
says in the Board of Aldermen that the fault is
not with the man but with the system, and he says
substantially that any man would do about the
same. Now, before we admit that the fault is en-
tirely with the system and not with the man, it
would be my idea to try some new man. The
Council have elected a new man, who, although
not my first choice, 1 am informed is a good
man. Now, if Mr. Galvin is a good man
for the place, let us elect him, and if not let as
elect another, and meet the question squarely
upon its merits. Let those who are in favor of
Mr. Galvin vote for him, and those not in favor of
him vote against him. and put in a new man; and
if at the end of another year we find we cannot
get a committee and a superintendent suitable to
carry on the department, possibly I should be
prepared to vote for a commission. But I am
not prepared to do so now, and I think that many
are not prepared to vote for unlimited commis-
sions. This department spends something like
§100,000. There are departments spending nearly
a million, employing a great deal of labor. Take
the Committee on Paving and Sewers, for in-
stance. If we get a Committee on Sewers who are
not practical mechanics, they know as much about
such building as this committee know about
planting trees; but still, it they are men of good
judgment, and have a good superintendent, they
get along very well. For thi9 reason, I see no
reason for a change in this department. The fact
that Mr. Galvin is popular with some and not pop-
ular with others is not a reason for changing the
system. I say we ought to meet the question
squarely: then if the question comes up <>i having
commissions for all the departments, let us meet
it. I think the question, whether we need a new
head for the department, should be settled upon
its merits; and an attemot to skilfully ignore one
question and slide off on to another is not what,
according to my idea, of what ought to be done :
and until the question of change in the head is
settled, 1 should vote against a commission.
Mr. Danforth of Ward 10 —It isn't a question
of men, it is a criticism upon the system. I will
state only one case. This present committee, or
any committee, or the present Superintendent,
has no 'authority to contract for plants for next
year. He is obliged to get them where he can.
Now, there were ten to eleven thousand of one
kind of plants bought last year, at fifteen cents
apiece; and if any committee had been author-
ized to contract for next year's supply,
it they were going to hold over next
year, those plants could be bought for
six or seven cents apiece : they could be
contracted for; anybody would be" glad to grow
those plants for six to sever cents apiece. That
is only oue thing. It will apply to many other
plants in the same direction. Supposing Mr.
Hunnewell's place and Mr. Paysou's place
changed every year; suppose it had' a new owner
every year, and a new policy. It is n't a question
of men. Everything has to be done new in the
spring; everything has to be wasted in the tall
and everything has to be bought by a new com-
mittee in the spring. Then the labor'costs a great
deal more than it otherwise would. Here is the
place, spoken ol last year, that the city talked
about taking— Horatio Harris's— which had been
carried on three or four years before he died for
§1600. It has twenty-eight acres, and the gar-
dener who had the contract supplied everything.
The Common and public grounds can be carried
on under a commission, or permanent committee
—call it what you will— for about half of what has
been spent upon it.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— As a member of the Com-
mittee on Common and Public Grounds, I don't
desire to shirk from any duty I am capable of
performing on that committee. This committee
had two sessions, and this question was before it.
There don't seem to be but one gentleman on the
committee posted on flowers, and how things
should be. My friend from Ward 10 seems to
understand it. 1 don't. My only point seemed
to be to go into the market for what we should
buy, and find what we wanted, and do with it as
we should with any other property or goods
that we should buy.' The committee seemed to
be divided on this question, and seemed to be
somewhat distrustful that they could no tinan-
age the public grounds satisfactory to the peo-
ple. There is a wide difference in people. Some
people want it as nice as money can make it;
others think there is too much money, a piece of
extravagance; that the system is wrong; that the
heln has been bad and paid too much for it. But
all "those things are passed and gone, and it has
nothing to do with the present. As one of the
committee, not being well posted in this matter, I
did not vote to transfer it to the Park Com-
missioners. I was told that they were
willing to take it as a labor of love:
that they were men of ability, culture and
taste, and willing to take it as a labor of love; and
as the feeling existed in the committee. I voted in
favor of this report, and 1 think, under the pres-
ent circumstances, there can be no harm in try-
ing it. If we don't like it, an order from the City
Council can take it from their bands. I think
they can do as well as the committee, although,
as I said before, I don't wish to shirk any respon-
sibility.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 'J— The circumstances
in regard to this department aie somewhat pecu-
liar. The fact is that by the act of the Legisla-
ture the Park Conunisioners have charge, at pres-
ent, of a portion of the public grounds of the city
of Boston,— a portion that will become more im-
portant every year. The question is whether
we shall keep up the expense of two depart-
ments or consolidate them and get the advan-
tage of men having the best judgment, like
those who compose the present Park Com-
mission. One of the members is President
of the Horticultural Society; his taste is cultivated
in tbat direction, and to him it would be a work
of love in taking care of the Public Garden.
Simply as showing public opinion in this matter, I
want to read a letter from Mr. Doogue, written to
a member of the Council — not to me ; and referring
to something he said before, he says-
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 rise to a point of
order. I would ask who it is addressed to .'
Mr. Thompson — I don't care to state.
Mr. McGaragle— 1 object.
The President— The gentleman can read such
portions as he chooses and incorporate them in
his speech.
FEBRUARY 28, 1878,
91
Mr. Thompson— Referring to what he said be-
fore, Mr. Doogue says —
"I am desirous of seeing; it transferred to the
Park Commissioners. It will then be out of the
reach of politicians who make politics a trade."
There is the man whom you have said by your
votes is qualified by experience for the position
of Superintendent of Public Grounds. He says
the place for it is in the hands of the Park Com-
missioners ; ard I don't think we can do better
than take the advice of those gentlemen who are
well qualified to judge.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19—1 would like to ask
the gentleman if Mr. Doogue has learned this
from his experience in the last two or three
weeks.
The yeas and nays were ordered, and the motion
to reconsider was rejected— yeas 29, nays 37.
Yeas — Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby,
Crocker, Danf orth, Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Howland,
Mowry, Nason, Perham, Pierce, Plimpton, M. W.
Richardson, Roberts, Rust, E. H. Sampson, O.
H.Sampson, H. N. Sawyer, N. Sawyer, Shepard,
Sibley, Smith, Thompson, Ward, Wolcott, Wy-
nian—29.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Day, Devlin, Doher-
ty, Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Kelley, Kendricken,
Kidney, Eauten, Lovering, McDonald, McGabey.
McGaragle, McGeough, Mullane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Pearl, J. B. Richardson, Roach, Rosnosky,
Santry, Spenceley, J. Taylor, Thorndike, Toppan,
Webster, Whicher, Wilson, Woolley— 37.
Absent or not voting— Coe, Cox, Dennv, Hol-
lis, J. F. Taylor— 5.
POLICE BELTS.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5 offered an order— That
the Committee on Police on the pare ot this Corn-
ell consider the expediency of the police force be-
ing allowed to dispense with the wearing of belts
as now required by his Honor the Mayor and
Board of Aldermen.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5 moved to refer the or-
der to the Committee on Police of this branch.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 — I raise the point of
order that the Committee on Police have no right
to consider this matter; it is entirely outside of
their duties.
Mr. Brintnall ot Ward 5 — The gentleman who
requested that that order be offered thought it
might do some good for the committee to take ac-
tion upon it. That committee don't have much
duty to perform.
The President— The Chair thinks the committee
have no power in this matter; yet the Council can
refer it to the Committee on Police to consider
the matter.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3—1 think this is like the
Committee on Common and Squares. It is too
large to be handled by a committee, and there
ought to be a commission appointed.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 understood that
the gentleman offering the order moved to refer
it to the Committee on Police, and I hope it will
be carried.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24—1 should like to offer
an amendment to that order by inserting the
words "and the rest of their uniforms." If they
are going to dispense with a part of it, 1 think
they had better dispense with the whole of it.
Mr. Brown of Ward 23—1 will make a motion
that the whole subject be indefinitely postponed.
The President — The Chair thinks that motion
will not be in order. The question is upon the ""
reference. The Chair would also state that the
amendment of the gentleman from Ward 24 would
not be in order.
The order was referred to the Committee on
Police of the Common Council.
PAY OF LABORERS.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5 offered an order — That
the Auditor be authorized to make up the pay roll
of all the laborers employed by the city every two
weeks during the year, and the Treasurer request-
ed to pay the same.
Mr. Brintnall of Ward 5— If this order is passed,
it will be quite a benefit to the laborers employed
by the city. Their pay has been cut down from
$1.75 to $1.50 a day, and it would assist theui very
much to have their pay every two weeks. The
only objection I have heard is the extra work in
making up the pay rolls. Taking everything into
consideration, I don't think it will do any harm,
even if it requires an extra clerk. If a man gets
small pay, a month is a long time to wait for it.
Mr. Wolcott of Ward 11— I move that this order
be referred to the Committee on Accounts. A
similar order was put in last year, and reported
on adversely by that committee. There were
reasons stated strongly enough to justify them in
making such a report. Those reasons may or
may not exist this year. I think that the proper
reference to be made.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8 — While I am certain-
ly in favor of paying the laborers every two weeks,
I don't know what the Auditor has to do with it.
It should go to the joint committees, and there-
fore I move it be indefinitely postponed, as it will
do no good at all.
Mr. Brintnall — I understood that the Treasurer
paid those pay rolls from the Auditor's report.
The order was referred to the Committee on
Accounts. Sent up.
REWARD OFFERED.
Mr. Devlin of Ward 13 offered an order— That
his Honor the Mayor be authorized to offer a re-
ward in the sum of $500 for the detection, arrest
and conviction of the party or parties who mur-
dered James H. Daley in South Boston on the
night of Feb. 4, 1878; said sum, if paid, to be
charged to the appropriation for Incidental Ex-
penses.
The order was passed to a second reading.
Subsequently, on motion of Mr. Devlin, the rule
was suspended and the order was read a second
time and passed. Sent up.
NEW WARDROOM FOR WARD TWENTY-TWO.
Mr. Barry of Ward 22 off ered an order — That the
Committee on Public Buildings consider and re-
port upon the expediency of providing a suitable
wardroom for Ward 22. Referred, on motion of
Mr. Barry, to the Joint Committee on Public
Buildings. Sent up.
CHARLES RIVER EMBANKMENTS.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9 mo^ed to take from
the table the order for the Mayor to petition for
the cession to the city of the strip of flats on
Charles River line trom southerly line of Canal
Bridge to Harbor Commissioners' line near junc-
tion of Brookline avenue and Beacon street.
Mr. Thompson — This order was laid upon the
table at the last meeting at the request of the
gentleman from Ward 8, in order that there may
be some discussion tonight. If the petition is
passed at all, it should go to the Legislature very
soon in order to aid an order put in there. If the
order is taken from the table I will give my rea-
sons.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— At the last meeting
I asked to have the order laid upon the table, as I
did n't know but there would be some expense.
I will not oppose it. This order asks the Com-
monwealth to cede to the city a line of flats back
of Beacon street to Brookline avenue. While I
have no earthly idea that the State will cede to
the city that vast amount of property, I cannot
see any good reason for having it at all, inasmuch
as it is a part of the park scheme, I hope the or-
der will prevail.
The order was taken from the table and passed,
in concurrence.
TERM OF OFFTCE OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY GOV-
ERNMENT.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19, the or-
der to petition for acts providing that the Mayor
shall be elected for two years, and the Aldermen
and Common Council tor* three years, and be paid
salaries, was taken from the table.
The question was upon giving the order a sec-
ond reading.
Mr. Hibbard of Ward 17—1 would move to
amend by striking out the part providing that the
Board of" Aldermen shall devote their whole time
to the city, and the pares providing that the Al-
dermen and Common Councilmen shall receive
salaries.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— While I don't pro-
pose to discuss this, and voted for taking it from
Jhe table, it is so late in the year I don't think
any good can come from it.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19—1 am not very stren-
uous in carrying this matter through. This order
was offered last year because I thought
it would meet many of the arguments
which have been given for the last tew
days iu respect to commissions. Gentle-
men tell us that committees appointed by theCiry
Council cannot do their work well, because they
are elected for only one year and are continually
going out. Of course. I have asked some ques-
tions in relation to this matter, and I do think
that is one of the best orders that could be of-
fered, and I think it is one of the best things that
92
COMMON COUNCIL,
could be brought about. I think if any gentleman
will go CO the Chief of Police and ask uiui if he
could have a committee on three years' time,
and he would say he would not have a
commission on any account; and 1 think the
Committee on Common and Squares would be of
the same opinion. The great bugbear is the length
Of time for which they are elected. I don't feel that
I want to force it up. Last vear I offered the order
and it was refused a second reading. Now I have
taken it up and you may indefinitely postpone it
or do anything you have a mind to. I think it
would take the place of commissions, and I think
we would have a much better Govern-
ment than by appointing commissions. They
say these gentlemen ought not to give
their time for nothing. That is the plea
for the Board of Park Commissioners; they give
their time for notning. It will hold good to us :is
to them. I hope the gentleman's amendment will
be adopted, and I think this matter cau be sent up
as well as the other. I thought it was too late to
send anything to the Legislature, and I under-
stand we have asked the Mayor to petition for an-
other matter, and we can in this if in that. If we
pass this order we can do away with commissions
and save the city a great deal of money, and the
Government will be more stable than at present,
and carry out the plans of the city better than at
present.
.Mr. Hibbard-I certainly am in lavor of the mo-
tion as now amended. My object in moving that
amendment is, that if we elected the Aldermen
for thrpe years, and paid them salaries, we shall
be rilling the offices with broken-down merchants
or retired men, which is just as bad. I feel, that
we want practical business men for Aldermeri and
Councilmen. The great reason for paying the
Councilmen salaries, when this was introduced
last year, was to avoid junketing. I have tilled
all my engagements on committees this year, and
two, months have expired, and none of the com-
mittee I am on have been invited out to dinner at
all. I don't think any member of the Council de-
Bires a salary tor that purpose.
. -Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I have no means of
knowing what the sentiment of members of the
Council is on this matter, as 1 haven't heard it
discussed; and not being in favor of it, I cannot
run the risk of letting it go to a vote without
briefly stating my opinion in regard to it. I think
it has been the good fortune ot Boston, to have
had always, scarcely without exception, an up-
right, honorable, honest, patriotic City Govern-
ment, that will compare favorably with the city
government, or the government of a city of
equal population in this country or any other; and
her councillors, her servants and those who have
administered her affairs, I think, have generally
done it with no reward except the happiness
which results from a conscientiousness of a duty
well done— the feeling of having advanced the
great cause of popular rights and received the
approbation of their fellow-men. And it does n't
seem to me that any such change has come over
the spirit of our people as that we should say that
those feelings have ceased to actuate those
living, or will cease to actuate those who
may come after us. I do not think it will tend to
the political purity of the affairs of this Ciry Gov-
ernment to i reate eighty-four salaried offices to be
tilled entirely by the popular vote. It seems to me
it would be holding out so many more prizes for
ward managers to scramble after, or to be consid-
ered as gifts to those who, for the time being,
perhaps, have no business or occupation, to be
bestowed upon them by friends who take that
means, perhaps, to support them, rather than any
other. I think the giving of this pecuniar; in-
ducement to accept an office would have a tenden-
cy to lower the dignity of the office by lowering
and debasing the motive by which men would be
governed to get into them. I think it would be a
very great evil if we should adopt any system
by which, as I have stated, so many new
offices would be tilled by the annual elec-
tions. The feature of the order which proposes
longer terms has some arguments for it, but we
have sometimes been thankful for a source of
consolation, and been relieved, when we have had
bad administrators, that their terms were short.
There are arguments for short terms as well a3
long. After all, whether you have long terms or
short terms, it comes back to the question of
men and the character of the men you put in the
office. If the men are patriotic and upright
and wise, it would be wise to have as
long terms as possible; and if you always
select those kind of men you would be
always safe. But if you do elect improper men
for the office, it is an advautage that they do not
have a long hold and tenure of it. In looking
over the list of Aldermen, as I had occasion to do
a day or two ago, for another purpose, in speak-
ing of the advantage which is very often remark-
ed here of short terms, you will find, Mr.
President, one Alderman, since the city was
organized under a charter, who served eleven
years; one who served nine years; three who
served six years; twenty-nine who served
four years, and sixty-three who served three
years each. A very large majority served two
years, and a single term has been the exception if
the officer, by that single term, had proved him-
self worthy of the confidence of his fellow-citi-
zens. In the Council also, where changes are
made more frequently and regularly than in the
Board of Aldermen generally, you will find sev-
eral who served eight years each, one who served
fifteen years, very many served four, five and six
years each. Of the present City Council a ma-
jority come with the weight of previous experi-
ence and fitness ; and t think the instances are
exceptions where the people have refused to
return any man to his seat, either in
this branch, or the other, who has proved
himself worthy ol the honor and confidence of
the citizens. 1 have not recently considered this
subject, and, as I said at the beginning, I had no
means of knowing what the sentiment of the
Council is; but I should have considered it a mis-
take to have passed it, and therefore I have ven-
tured to trespass upon the time of the Council to
briefly state one or two of the reasons which
seem to me to be of weight against it.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24—1 move that the sub-
ject be specially assigned to next Thursday even-
ing at half-past eight o'clock.
The motion to assign was lost.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward lit— I hope this matter
will be acted upon tonight. The gentleman from
Ward 10 said be had not recently looked at the
matter. I think that none of us who lollowed
him in his remarks but knew that from the be-
ginning. He had marked out the speech, and had
the text, and preached a sermon accordingly, be-
cause the gentleman from Ward 17 made an
amendment which I accepted, and then he went
on and made an essay about salaries, which has
already been fixed in the minds of the Council.
I think his argument tonight, and in relation to
the Police Commissioners last week, don't agree.
He is terribly afraid of getting broken-down men
here, and not in the Police Commission. He is
terribly complimentary to the gentlemen who
have done faithfully and well in the Board of
Aldermen, and is afraid they will become so
many "taffy- jacks," and then he thinks they
cannot get such good men for one year.
It seems to me his logic is not good logic.
Ir .-eems to me his objection cannot stand.
He says they will be filled annually. That
is not what we are talking about. Now
we propose to have them for three years.
He did n't get the text right. Then, in reference
to the payment of those men, why, the gentleman
himself has brought in a bill here to pay the Al-
dermen and Councilmen salaries, and had it
printed.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I desire to correct
the gentleman. I did n't have it printed.
Mi . Spenceley— It was printed and it was for
the same purpose that I brought in this order. I
did n't specify any sum ; I left that to the Council.
I I vou waut to pay the Council sioo and the Board
of Aldermen S500, it is all right.
.Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— The gentleman don't
want to misstate me, and I am sure he does. The
gentleman will remember that the ordinance he
does me the honor to say I proposed simply
provided that in lieu, and for the ex-
pense of attending to the business of the
city, there shall be allowed for that purpose
and no other, a certain sum each year should be
drawn upon when a proper certificate was pre-
sented to the Auditor that it had been expended
while in the discharge of their duties as a member
of the Council or Board of Aldermen. It was not
a salary. The gentleman's memory is at fault in
regard to the tenor and meaning of the ordinance.
Mr. Spenceley — Are you done? Well, Mr. Pres-
ident, I don't know whether it makes any differ-
ence whether I give my boy five cents to pay for
candy, or pay lor it myself when it cdfties in the
bill. The order was there to vote so much money,
and if dinners cost $3 apiece, it don't take long
FEB RXJ A K Y a 8
1878
93
to eat up $100. The only point was, it was a sal-
ary as he proposed in his bill; and it don't make
any difference how it is paid, or what you call it.
As the gentleman from "Ward 17 stated, it will
save much junketing'. I have had sever-
al dinners this year, and they did n't cost
more than $1.50 a piece. But the point I brought
in is that the gentleman brought in the ordinance
and had it referred the same night. I don't care
much about this now. I only leave it to the
Council to say. I don't have much to say upon it.
I dsd it because X thought it proper, and because
I thought it would make a better City Govern-
ment than we have at the present time!
Mr. Hibbard's amendment was adopted, and the
order as amended was refused a second reading.
COMPARATIVE LIST OF TAXPAYERS.
On motion of Mr. Rust of Ward 10, the order to
have furnished a series of tables showing in each
ward the number of voters at the last election
who paid only poll taxes and those who paid
taxes on $1000 and upwards, was taken from the
table and referred to the Committee on Assessors'
Department. Sent up.
BACK BAY PARK.
Mr. Spenceley of "Ward 19 offered an order —
That the Committee on Parks be requested to as-
certain and report why the work authorized by the
City Council in relation to tilling the park on the
Back Bay has not been commenced.
Mr. Spenceley — Some weeks ago, gentlemen
may remember that the city appropriated $25,000
in view of the fact that a committee was appoint-
ed to see if the poor laboring men might not have
some employment during the winter months.
The Committee on Finance said thev might have
the money. It has been three or four weeks since
the order was passed, and I fail to rind out
any reasons why it has not been com-
menced. I have been down to the Park Commis-
sioners' office and failed to do so, and I put in
this order to find out why this work is not begun,
and why some of the laboring men coming to our
doors continually may not have work. The money
was appropriated specially for this reason. There
is the bank of earth, and there is the place to be
filled, and why is it not done?
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 would ask the gen-
tleman if he has seen the Park Commissioners.
Mr. Spenceley— That is just the trouble. 1 went
down there yesterday afternoon and the clerk
told me to call this forenoon. I went to their of-
fice, and to Mr. Gray's office, and to Mr. Dalton's,
and I could n't find them. This is the only way I
can find them. I cannot spend all my time look-
ing after them. I would like to know some reason
why the work has not been commenced.
Mr. Thompson — I can give the gentleman one
reason. The report of the committee stated that
the money was to be expended in filling the road-
ways leading from Brookline avenue into the
park. The money to purchase that roadway was
only appropriated last Thursday and went to the
Board of Aldermen for concurrence, and did not
get into the hands of the Park Commissioners
until this week.
Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16—1 would state, in be-
half of the gentleman from Ward 19, that 1 found
they have different rooms, and they have a special
department in the top floor. They stated that the
amount appropriated, $25,000, was not for labor-
ing men. They claim that they are not commis-
sioners for almshouses, and they came to the con-
clusion that that work should be done by a rail-
road corporation, and that this Council said
nothing about taking care of the laboring men,
and therefore I made it my business not to go any
further after them.
Mr. Thompson— If the gentleman will study the
report that accompanied the order he will see that
the committee recommend that charity should
not be given in the form of work; but' that the
city should do its business on business principles.
And the understanding with which this order
was offered was that persons out of employment
owning horses, which, to use a common term,
were "eating their heads off," might go to the
city's bank, take the gravel, and haul it to the
park, provided that they would deliver it as
cheaply as it could be done by contract. Thus
the city could do its work as cheaply as it could
be done by contract, at the same time be benefit-
ing a class that needed help. But the difficulty
has been that many gentlemen of this Council
seem to think that that money was appropriated
to provide contracts for some of their friends.
They are not satisfied with doing the work as
cheaply as it can be done by railroads or
contractors, but they expect more. There
seems to be an idea prevailing in the Com-
munity that the city stands in somewhat the re-
lation of a father who is bound to provide for a
large family of children. Now, there is a law
which regulates the duty of the city in resard to
that, and it points out the way in which a man
in need of aid must and shall be aided by the city.
But the city, on the other hand, as trustees for all
its citizens is bound to do its business in the same
way as the business of other corporations is done,
certainly as honestly and cheaply as as any
other. There is no better means of opening
the way to frauds than the pretence of benefiting
the poor laborer in this way. It does the poor man
an immense amount of harm. The annual special
appropriation for soup for poor men is the worst
thing that can be donefor the laborers of the city
of Boston— those who live here from year to year,
who have their homes and really belong here—
because it is a constant source of attraction to lure
men into the city and increase the competition
under which our own men siuffer. It is a
constant complaint that contractors bring men
here from a distance, and that those men stay
here. Why do they? Because they find that the
city of Boston is paying very largely more than
the market rate of wa'ges." It "is a temptation to
them. A man says, "I can get more from the city
for three or four days' work than [ can from pri-
vate employers for a week" — so he remains, hang-
ing on and begging for work, and pushing our own
laboring men out of their places. I am just as
desirous of aiding the poor men of Boston as any
man in this Council; but I do not believe in this
constant talk about providing help for poor men,
when what is really meant is to give contracts to
some one, out of which money is to be made at
the expense of the city.
Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 16 — I uuderstoodthe or-
der was brought in for the reason that it would
give labor to the unemployed laborers of the city
of Boston, and not, as the gentleman from Ward
9 says, to give fat contracts to any one. I claim
that it was done for the laboring classes of this
city. The Park Commissioners said they would
not have the right, and perhaps we would not
have expended that amount of money, but so
many men were out of employment that it was
given to them. The gentleman states that
so many people come here to get labor. I would
like to know how many would come here from
New York to get work at $1 a day.
Mr. Spenceley— It is all very well for the gentle-
man from Waf d 9, who has never been iu suffer-
ing or want. If he had, he would n't have talked
as he has here tonight. It is all well for him.
with his warm home and well-filled table, for he
has never suffered as the poor of Boston
do. I hope he will never suffer as the laboring
men suffer today, and I hope some of the gentle-
men opposite will not. But I want the gentleman
to understand that when they brought in this
thing tbey didn't say this iu the report. The re-
port reads—
[Mr. Spenceley read the report and orders from
the joint special committee to consider what can
be done for the relief of destitute citizens.]
I ao not know, Mr. President, what to think of
the gentleman's remarks tonight after reading
this report heaping epitaphs upon the laboring
men, which was drawn by himself and signed by
his own name, authorizing this work to be done,
and specifying that it ought to be done now; that
there is the bank of ground and it ought to betak-
en, and then all this talk about laboring men com-
ing into Boston, and then throwing innuendoes.
Mr. Ward— I called upon the chairman of the
Park Commission last week and asked him the
same question, and he stated that unless the wa-
ters of Muddy Brook were diverted and carried
across into Charles River they could not com-
mence the work. If they commenced filling on
the easterly side of Western avenue it would cut
off a portion of this creek, and a nuisance would
be formed ; and this work could not go on until a
committee is appointed to confer with the
town of Brookline. and he proposed to put that
business iu the hands of the Committee on Stony
Brook. Those were the reasons stated to me whv
this work cannot be commenced at the present
time.
Mr. Spenceley— I don't know what to do, hard-
ly. A gentleman stated the other day that he was
going to handle this matter without* gloves; and
it seems to me it is pretty well gloved up now. I
think the only way to get over it is to pass the or-
v>-t
COMMON COUNCIL
der. The gentleman from Ward 9 said this was
not put in to give the laboring men work. I doD't
known what language means. The committee
were appointed to investigate this matter and see
if any work could he done in this way.
Mr. Webster of Ward :S— The gentleman from
Ward 19 has offered a simple order of inquiry
that can do no possible harm and I can see no oc-
oasion for a long discussion.
Mr. Barry of Ward 22— If this City Council have
not a right to ask a question of a commission
emanating from the City Council, it is a powerful
argument against commissions and shows what
can be expected of them when we have many
more of them. I am aware that when a gentle-
man says anything in favor of the laboring men
he is lia'ble to hear the cry of buncombe; but the
gentlemen who raise the cry are the first to use it.
I voted for the order with the understanding that
it was to relieve the poor, and if the Park Com-
missioners are going to sit back on their dignity
let us understand it. A large part of the
money must be done by railroads, but much
can lie done by teams, and I don't know what
Muddy Brook has to do with it. 1 have heara a
great many inquiries about why the work was not
commenced, and it seems tome the proposition
of the gentleman from Ward 19 will solve the
problem.
Mr. Thompson— There is no possible objection
to the order, and I make none. If men will go
there with teams and dump gravel on the park as
cheaply as it can be done by contract, they can go
there tomorrow and do so.
Mr. Brawley of Ward 19— It is a mere matter of
inquiry for information, and I think the order
ought to pass.
The order was read a second time and passed.
Sent up.
liATUINC DEP MM'MKNT.
On motion of Mr. Richardson of Ward 10. the
order to report an ordinance to place the bathiusr
department under the Board of Health was taken
from the table.
The question was on referring it to the Com-
mittee on Ordinances.
Mr. Richardson explained that he had found
there were no ordinances regulating the depart-
ment, and the reference might lead to doing away
with the system of conducting the business by an
order passed each year.
.Mr. Pearl objected to the reference, and said.
the department had been economically managed.
Mr. McGaragle said the department was run in
accordance with the statute.
On motion of Mr. Crocker, the yeas and navs
were ordered, and the motion to refer to the Com-
mittee on Ordinances was lost — yeas 27, nays 35:
Yeas— Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Colby.
Crocker, Dauforth, Hibbard, Hill, Lauten, Mowr'v.
Nason, Perhani, Pierce, Plimpton, .). B. Richard-
son. M. W. Richardson, E. H. Sampson, I). H.
Sampson, H. N. Sawyer, X. Sawyer, Shepaid,
Smith, Thompson, Ward, Webster, Wolcotr, Wv-
man— 27.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, Devlin, Doherty,
Drynan, Fernald, Flynn, Ham, Howland, Kellev,
Kendricken, Kidney, Lovering, McDonald, Mi -
Gahey, McGaragle, McGeough, Mullaue, Mullen,
O'Connor, Pearl, Roach. Rosnosky, Santrv, Spence-
ley, J. Taylor, Thomdike, Toppan, Whicher, Wil-
son, Woolley— 35.
Absent or not voting— Messrs. (Joe, Cox, Day,
Denny, Hollis, Roberts, Rust, Sibley, J. F. Tay-
lor— 9.
Mr. Pearl moved to indefinitely postpone.
Ruled out of order.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Barnard of
Ward 24.
f As there were several typographical errors in
the ballot for First Assistant Assessors in the re-
port of the last meeting, the following correct re-
port is given:]
Whole number of votes, 65: necessary for a
Brown, 57; Horace Loring, 58; Joseph I,. Drew,
flO; William H. Cnndy, 44; Phineas B. Smith, 41;
John H. Giblin, 62; Joseph R. Grose, 61;
Thomas Leavitt, 63; Charles B. Hunting, 62;
Theophilus Burr, 58; William B. Smart, 60; Geor«e
F. Williams, 00; John McElroy, 45; L. Foster
Morse, 53: Charles E. Grant, 54; Andrew J.
Browne, 63; John H. Griggs, 62; (.eorge A. Com-
ins. 59; Charles K. Temple, 61; Gideon Walker, 57;
John Pierce, 57; Henry Pierce, 58: Charles Now-
ell,58; Richard B. Smart, 68; William A.Wheeler,
41; Joseph Bobbins, 6; John A. McLaughlin. 29:
Edward Riley, 24; Thomas J. Anderson, l'.">; Em-
erson Coolidge, 10; Dualey Pray, 18; Francis
James, 22; John Leahy, 3; Dennis Moore, 27:
William G. Train, 21; John Noble, 34; George W.
Kingman, 1; Francis E. Hines, 27; John W.
Brown, 4: .iarvis D. Braman, 13: John W. Steere,
1 ; William S. Anderson, 1.
95
HOARD OF ALDEKMKJS
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
MARCH 4, 18"--.
Regular meeting at 7V 2 o'clock P. M., Aliieruiau
Stebbins, Chairman, presiding.
EXECUTIVE Nomination*.
Railroad Police for Boston & Albany Railread—
Greenleaf Colby Day, John Henry Carpenter, Ho-
bart Robinson. Connrmed.
Special Police Officers— Xelson Jenney, Leigh
R. Worcester, Henry A. Fenn, Henry X. Lougley,
George \Y. Maunder. Confirmed.
Inspector of Provisions— Samuel Warden. Con-
firmed.
To the Committee on Polict . Ot. B. Bunnell, for
leave to suspend a flag from International Hotel,
on Washington street.
To the Committee on Police. Joseph Morrill,
Jr., to be compensated for loss ot fowls killed by
dogs.
To the Committee on Bridge*. James Sullivan,
that a suitable shelter be provided for the horse
used in opening and closing the Meridian-street
draw.
To the Committee on Paving. Kiluy Page etal.,
for flagging crossing across Tremont street at
Downer street; Nahum Capen et al., chat Bowdoin
street, Ward 24, be put in order for public travel;
Bradford E. (iline et nl ., that Bunker Hill street,
from Vine to Greeu street, be put in order for
travel; James M. Conlon, that Vale street may
be graded, etc.; Kitch'ourg Railroad Company, for
leave to connect their track with the Union
Freight Railroad track on Causeway street:
Sarah P. Cleaveland, tor crosswalk across Per-
kins street and Pond avenue, Jamaica Plain;
Patrick Crosby et al.. tor edgestones and gutters
on Call street, Jamaica Plain; Second Parish
Church, Dorchester, et at., for plank walks on
Centre and Washington streets; Union Freight
Railroad Company, tor leave to construct a track
from Commercial street to Constitution wharf;
Moses H. Day, lor a brick sidewalk on Heath
street, near Day street; Board of Fire Commis-
sioners, that the* roauway leading to the houses of
Engine Company 17 and Hook and Ladder Com-
pany 7, on Meeting House Hill, be put in order:
Timothy Allen, for leave to remove a wooden
building from South street, Ward 23, to Keye
street, opposite Call street.
To the Committee on Public /.umts. Charles
L. Smith, for leave to erect a greenhouse on land
near Chester square, on Washington street.
vv the Committee on Claims. Charles Down-
ing, to be compensated for personal injuries sus-
tained on Jan. 11, 1*77, by an alleged defect in the
highway ; Thomas T. Robinson, to be compensated
for injuries done to his horse on the "draw of
Broadway Bridge: Martin Connolly, to be paid for
damages for personal iujuries received while in
the employ of the city.
To the Committee on Bathing. Charles Marsh
it al., that a bath house be established at Xepon-
set this year.
IMD asmsiavi ASSESSORS.
A report came down that it is inexpedient to
pass the order for an ordinance placing the ap-
pointment of Second Assistant Assessors in the
hands of the Principal Assessors. Accepted, in
concurrence.
A report came down making nominations for
Second Assistant Assessors. Accepted in concur-
rence, and ballot ordered. Committee— Aldermen
Faonce, Guild and Whiton.
On motion of Alderman McLean, the Board took
a recess, at the end of which the committee re-
ported as follows:
Whole number of votes 11
Neeessarv for a choice G
Those marked with stars were elected on the part of
the Board.
Wan/ 1.
•Isaiah Whitten 11
Ward 2.
♦Albert H. Taylor 11
Wards.
*.I ohn Bryant 11
Ward 4.
•D. D. Taylor 11
Want .-..'
•Dennis G. Quirk 11
Ward 6.
•John Carvin 8
Michael D. Collins 4
John Fay 2
•James L. Quigley 8
Ward 7.
Edward J. Riley 3
•Samuel B. Krogman 7
J.J. A. Gil rain 1
Ward s.
•Thomas .1. Anderfon 10
Ward 9.
Walter Harmon 1
•Frank Fuller <i
E. Coolidge 1
Ward It).
•William S. Whitney 11
•Increase K. Nov es H
Ward 11.
•John K. Brigga 11
* James Btanatsh n
Ward 12.
•John Osborne. Jr 11
•Alfred 1. Woodbury 11
Ward 13.
•Dudley Pray 11
Wardl*.
•Hosea B. Bowen ..11
Ward IB.
•Daniel J. Holland In
Ward 19.
•w. w. Dromey io
K. A. Wilkins.'. 1
Wad 17.
•Dudley B. Child 11
Want is.
•Samuel P. Oliver 11
Ward\9.
Francis E. Bines 1
Thomas Riley 1
John Over...' I
•Joshua Dyer 8
Ward 20.
•Frederick H. Field 10
Edward W. Dolan 5
•Joseph White, Jr 7
Ward 21.
•John C. Cook <>
•George Warren 1(1
Matthew B. Walsh 3
Ward 22.
•1'atii.k B. Sogers 11
Ward 23.
'Edward P. Butler it
•John F. l'ayson 11
Ward 24.
•William Wellington 11
•Joseph E. Hall 11
Ward 25.
irge W. Warren 11
Sent down.
I .LLANEOl s PAPEKS 1'ltOM TIIE COMMON
COUNI II..
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Annual report of the Inspector of Buildings.
(City Doc. 24.) Placed on file.
Report referring to the Committee on Public
Buildings the subject of providing "fire-escapes"
for the Latin and English II iirh School House on
Bedford street. Accepted and referred accord-
ingly in concurrence.
Order for offer of a reward of $500 for the detec-
tion and conviction of the party or parties who
murdered James H. Daley, on Feb. 4, 1878. Passed
in concurrence.
Order that pay rolls of laborers employed by the
city be made up every two weeks. Referred to
the Committee on Accounts in concurrence.
Order tor Committee on Public Buildings to con-
sider the expediency o< providing a new ward-
room for Ward 22." Referred to Committee on
Public Buildings in concurrence.
Order tor Committee on Public Parks to ascer-
tain and report why work has not been commenced
on the Back Bay park.
Alderman Guild— I don't know that I have any
special objection to that order ot inquiry being
passed. But I merely wish to say on behalf of the
Committee on Parks, and also so far as it relates
to the Park Commissioners, that the reason the
rilling has not been commenced is that they could
not get a clear title to the land. They have been
endeavoring to do that as rapidly as possible, but
it has been delayed by the necessary absence of
individuals from the* city. I have understood
that they will commence the filling within two
MARCH 4. 1878.
96
days— possibly tomorrow or the next day. I do
not rise to object to the order, but simply to say
that every pessible step has been taken to have
this work proceed at once.
The order was passed in concurrence.
Notice of the appointment of Mr. Mowry on
Special Committee on Mercantile Wharf Market
in place of Mr. Coe, who declines service thereon.
Placed on file.
Orders to have furnished a series of tables show-
ing in each ward the number of voters at the last
election who paid only poll taxes, and those who
paid taxes on $1000 and upwards. Referred to
Committee on Assessors' Department in con-
currence.
Reports of leave to withdraw on claims submit-
ted by Benjamin H. Stinson, Ann Morris, Wil-
liam W. Wallace and Thomas Brown. Severally
accepted in concurrence.
DIVERSION OF MUDDY BROOK.
Alderman Guild presented the following:
To the Honorable the City Council of the City of
Boston — The undersigned, propeity owners and
residents of Ward 22, respectfully represent that
the sewers of the western portion of said ward
empty into Muddy River, and that, owing to the
tortuous course of the bed of the river, the sew-
age is deposited upon its banks, thereby becom-
ing a great nuisance, and endangering the health
of the residents in its vicinity and damaging their
estates, it has been a cause of complaint for sev-
eral years by the Board of Health.
In order to abate this nuisance it is necessary
that the city unite with the town of Brookline, as
provided in the act of the Legislature, chapter
267 of the year 1872, which empo wers the said town
and city to divert the waters of Muddy River so
as to make them flow in a more direct line to
Charles River.
Believing that the low prices of labor and ma-
terials are conditions favorable to the immediate
prosecution of the work, we therefore respectfully
request that the City Counc'l will take such ac-
tion as is necessary, in connection with the town
of Brookline, to continue the improvement of the
course of said river, made by said town, along the
Brookline Branch Railroad in a direct line to
Charles River.
Boston, Feb. 2G, 1878.
[Signed by William R. Lawrence ana many oth-
ers.]
Read and referred to the Joint Special Commit-
tee on the Improvement of Stony Brook. Sent
down.
BOATS ON PUBLIC GARDEN POND.
Alderman Guild submitted a report from Joint
Committee on Common of leave to withdraw on
petition of T. A. Splaine for leave to place boats
on the Public Garden Pond. Accepted. Sent
down.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses as follows:
Minors' Applications Granted — One bootblock,
twenty-one newsboys.
Amusement License Granted— G. B. Bunnell,
to exhibit a collection of natural curiosities at
Beethoven Hall for four weeks.
Amusement License Refused — B. F. Lowell,
agent, to give dramatic performances at Beetho-
ven Hall.
Victuallers Licensed— Frank H. Dodge, 819 Tre-
mont street; William Stone, 193 Eliot street;
George Abbott, 10 State street.
Auctioneers Licensed— Charles F. Libbie, 13
Beacon street.
Wagon License Granted— George Kennard, cor-
ner of Washington and Market streets; A. H.
Wilson, 29 Doane street; A. B. Lothrop, 2G Dev-
onshire street; J. J. Kelley, 182 Centre street,
Roxbury.
Passenger Wagons Licensed— George W. Calef,
to run two excursion wagons from Bowdoin
square to Rowe's, Litchfield's and India wharves
aud return, between May 1 and Oct. 1; Currier &
Sanders, to run a passenger wagon from Sullivan
square, Ward 4, to Litchfield's, Rowe's and India
wharves, from May 1 to Oct. 1; Robinson & Eme-
ton, to run two passenger wagons from Haymar-
ket square to Rowe's and Litchfield's wharves;
William Fletcher, to run a passenger wagon from
Fitchburg Railroad station to Rowe's and Litch-
field's wharves ; G. A. Colrnan, to run two
passenger wagons from Bowdoin square to Rowe's
wharf.
Severally accepted.
PERMIT FOR STEAM ENGINE.
Alderman McLean submitted a report that
leave be granted Moulton & Goodwin to use a
steam engine at 119-123 Water street. Accepted.
PAYING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
. Alderman Whidden submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving:
Report and order that the street leading from
Wesley street to Salem-Hill court, Charlestown
District, be hereafter called and known as
"Holden Row," and that the Superintendent of
Streets be diiected to place street signs upon and
number said street. Order read once.
Ordered, That from the assessment laid upon
the estate of Lawrence Norton for edgestones
furnished on Boylston avenue there be abated the
sum of $9, and that said amount be assessed to
Lawrence Kelly for edgestones furnished on Boyl-
ston avenue. Read once.
Report and order granting permission to Saw-
yer, Hollis & Co. to set telegraph posts on West-
ern avenue and Market street, Brighton, upon the
usual conditions. Order read once.
Report that l^ave be granted A. E. Pratt to
water certain streets in Roxbury upon the usual
conditions. Accepted.
MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCI-
ATION TRIENNIAL EXHIBITION.
Alderman Haydeu submitted the following :
The joint special committee to whom was re-
ferred the petition of the Massachusetts Cnarita-
ble Mechanic Association for leave to use a por-
tion of the parade ground on Boston Common for
the erection of a temporary building in which to
hold the thirteenth exhibition of industry, skill
and art, or that some other suitable plot of ground
belonging to the city be designated, having con-
sidered the subject, beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing report:
The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Asso-
ciation has, since 1837. been granted the use of
Faneuii and Quincy halls for the purpose of hold-
ing its triennial exhibitions of industry and art.
Tnese exhibitions, which were a success from the
beginning, have increased in interest and in the
quantity of goods displayed, until those halls are
no longer capacious enough to contain the exhib-
its which are offered, or to accommodate the
crowds of visitors. The last exhibition was held
in 1874, and although all the available space was
utilized, the association was obliged to refuse a
large number of exhibits which were offered, from
want oi room to display them. The association,
therefore, finds itself compelled to seeu other and
more commodious quarters, or to discontinue the
exhibitions altogether. The thirteenth triennial
exhibition was to have been held in the months of
September and October, 1877, and in anticipation of
the event the applications for space were greater
than ever before. The representatives of our lead-
ing industries assured the association that they
would make an unequalled exhibition of their goods
providing that a sufficient amount of space was
afforded them. The association, therefore, deter-
mined to erect an exhibition building, if a suita-
ble location could be obtained, and applied to the
City Council for leave to use a portion of the pa-
rade ground for the purpose. Permission was re-
fused, and the association, being unable to find
another suitable location, decided to aban ion the
idea of giving the exhibition. Much disappoint-
ment was caused both to exhibitors, who had
made preparations for the exhibition and who
were prevented from displaying their goods, and
to the public, who were deprived of the opportu-
nity ot witnessing an exhibition which promised
to surpass in extent and interest anything of the
kind that had before been given in this city.
Since then the association has been induced to
reconsider its action, and has decided to hold an
exhibition during the present year, if a suitable
site for a building can be obtained. The request
for leave to use a portion of the parade ground is
therelore renewed, but with the alternative re-
quest, that in case permission to erect a building
on the Common should not be granted, some
other suitable location may be designated.
While a majority of the committee are individu-
ally in favor of allowing the exhibition to be held
upon the Common, they are of the opinion that
so many of our citizens regard any encroachment
upon the Common with such disfavor that, shou'd
the request be granted, an opposition would be
aroused which would be of no benefit, if not a
positive injury, to the interests of the association.
The committee, therefore, believe that it is inex-
pedient to grant permission to use the Common.
97
''.uARD OF ALDEKMEN
With regard to the alternative request of the
petitioners, tlie committee are ot the opinion that
the city's laud, situated at the junction of Colum-
bus avenue and Pleasant aud Eliot streets, can be
made available tor the purposes ot the associa-
tion. 'Ibis land comprises an area of 38,100 square
teet.is centrally located, easily accessible, and ap-
parently, next to the Common, the most desirable
location to be obtained. If, in addition to grant-
ing the use of this land, permission were to be
given to use tbe Tennyson-street Primary Scnool-
house, whicb adjoins it, as an annex lor the re-
ception of tbe more valuable exhibits, sufficient
room would be obtained to meet the wants of the
petitioners.
If permission to use this land is granted, the
association proposes to erect thereon a building
of fine architectural appearance and provided
with every facility tor the proper display of goods
aud the accommodation ot'visitors. The building
will be removed at the close of tbe exhibition,
and no inconvenience will be occasioned to the
public. Every precaution will be taken to pre-
vent injury to persons or property, the associa-
tion agreeing to protect the city against any loss
in that respect.
Your committee are of the opinion that the use
ot the land in question should be granted to the
petitioners, believing that the concession will be
regarded in the light of a public benefit.
The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Asso-
ciation has been a liberal patron ot the arts and
manufactures, and has expended large sums in
rewarding meritorious skill in the different
branches of the useful art-. Its exhibitions have
been the means of introducing to the public many
useful inventions, which have been of ereat bene-
fit to the community. They have afforded enter-
tainment and instruction not oDly to our own citi-
zens, but to thousands ot visitors from abroad;
while by attracting here inventors, manufacturers
and purchasers troui all parts of tne country, they
have been a direct benefit to the business of the
city.
Your committee, therefore, recommend that the
association be granted permission to use the land
and building before mentioned, and to that end
respectfully recommend tbe passage of the ac-
companying orders.
S. B. Stebbins.
Ciiai;li-> Kai DEW,
Thomas J. Whidden.
William J, BUBKE.
Howard Clait.
John F. Colby.
John Taylor.
John J. Smith.
Ordered, That the Massachusetts Charitable
Mechanic Association be and it is hereby author-
ized to occupy the lots of land owned by the city,
situated atthe junction of Columbus avenue,
Pleasant street and Eliot street, and to erect
thereon a building for tbe purpose of holding an
exhibition of industry and art, provided that the
said association will agree to remove said build-
ing at tbe close of tbe said exhibition, or when-
ever ordered to no so by the Board of Aldermen
or City Couocil, and provided, further, that the
said association will give a bond, satisfactory to
the City Solicitor, to defend the city against all
claims "on account of or arising from" the occu na-
tion of the said land for tbe purpose aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Massachusetts Charitable
Mechanic Association be and it is hereby author-
ized, with the consent of tbe School Committee,
to occupy the Tennyson-street Primary School-
house, for the purposes of its exhibition; and that
the Superintendent of Public Buildings be author-
ized to make arrangements satisfactory to tbe
School Committee, for the accommodation ot the
schools in that district during such time as tbe
building is occupied for such purpose; the ex-
pense to be charged to the appropriation for
Schoolhouses, Public Buildings.
The orders were read twice and passed. Sent
down.
STA1SLES, ETC.
Alderman Yiles submitted reports from the
Committee on Health as follows:
That leave be granted to occupy stables by A.
Klaeger, rear 112 Longwood avenue; Mark Morse,
rear chain factory, Athens street; L. S.Howard,
Lincoln street, Ward 24; H. S. Lawrence, 2328
Washington street.
01 leave to withdraw on petition to occupy
stable, by C.E.Paige, 012 Fifth street (for two
additional horses).
That leave be granted Laurin A. Noyes to ex-
cavate a cellar, 257 Sumner street, to a" depth of
two feet below grade.
Severally accepted.
CLAIMS.
Alderman Harris submitted reports from the
Committee on Claims of leave to withdraw on pe-
titions of \V. E. L. Dillaway to be compensated
for personal injuries caused by a fall on South
street, and John Uadilin to be compensated tor
patent cusbioi.s provided for steam fire engine
No. 7. Severally accepted. Sent down.
BRIDGES.
Alderman Harris submitted orders for the Com-
mittee on Bridges to expend not exceeding $3000
in repairing the draw pier of Cambridge-street
Bridge, Brighton, and not exceeding $1000 in re-
pairing the draw of Maiden Bridge, severally to
be charged to tbe appropriation for Bridges. Sev-
erally read twice and passed.
On motion of Alderman Harris, a ballot was ta-
ken for Commissioner of Bridges between Boston
and Cambridge, and Frederic W. Lincoln was
elected.
CONFIRMED.
On mot ion of Alderman Yiles, the executive ap-
pointment of John H. Ferry to be Inspector of
Provisions and Superintendent of Faneuil Hall
was taken from the table and confirmed.
MYSTIC VALLEY RAILROAD.
On motion of Alderman Harris, the petition of
Mystic Yalley Railroad Corporation for approval
of location was taken from the table and the pe-
titioners were given leave to withdraw, they not
having put in an appearance.
FENCE VIEWERS, El< .
Alderman McLean offered an order — That
Aldermen be appointed to nominate suitable
candidates for the offices of Fence Viewers, Field
Drivers, etc., Inspector of Lime and Culler of
Hoops, etc. Passed, and Aldermen McLean,
Robinson and Whit >n were appointed.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman Harris.
98
COMMON COUNCIL,
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Common Council.
MARCH
L878.
Regular meeting at 7y 2 o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the cbair.
AUDITOR'S estimate.-.
The President announced the receipt ol the
Auditor's estimates tor 1878-79 (City Doc. 25;,
•which was received and referred to the Finance
Committee, with such as the Board of Aldermen
may join:
Office <>f the Additob of Aoooi m i -, i
City Hali, .March 5, 1878. I
lu njii mm J'ojie, Km/., /'resident of the Common
Council : Sir— Complying with the requirement of
the ordinance in relation to finance, I have the
honor of presenting' to the City Council the ac-
companying estimates of the money which will
be required to defray the expenses of the city of
Boston and county of Suffolk for the financial
year 1878-9, commencing May 1, 1878, and termi-
nating April 30, 1879, exclusive of Boston's pro-
portion of the State tax of 1878, which will be
levied by the Board of Assessors under authority
of law of the Commonwealth. The financial year
included the Auditor's general draft on the
Treasurer made up at the close of April, payable
the 1st of May.
It is manifest that the financial affairs Ol our
municipality now containing probably 375,000 in-
habitants, and covering so large an extent of ter-
ritory as is embraced within i^s limits, cannot be
conducted even with commendable prudence and
judicious economy without a heavy expenditure
of money annually, but it was hoped that in pre-
senting these estimates they would not have ag-
gregated so great a sum as given, to be raised by
taxation upon the property ot the city in its pres-
ent condition and shrinking valuation. The iteius
making up the estimates, all of which of right
should be taxed if required, have, however, nearly
all been examined and approved by appropriate
committees, and they will be turther scrutinized
by the joint committee to whom they will be
referred, and by your honorable bodies, as to
whether the actual" needs of the Government the
coming financial year, for a proper and judicious
administration of its affairs, require the several
amounts asked for. If required tuey should l>e
raised by taxation and not by borrowing money
iu any event.
The amount for the County ol Suffolk shows an
increase of $35,000 necessitated by the provisions
ot chapter 210, ?ection 2, ol the acts ot tne Massa-
chusetts Legislature of 1877, requiring the several
counties each to pay the salaries of"' the justices
and clerks of the municipal ana police courts lo-
cated in their respective counties, which, prior to
Jan. 1, 1878, were paid by the State. An extra ap-
propriation of $10,000 is also asked tor, to build a
new brick boiler house in the jail yard, to be con-
nected with the jail building.
The amount; required for the running expenses
ol the schools is $1,012,564, of which $1,161,864 is
for the pay of school instructors, and $56,700 for
officers of the School Committee, the salaries ot
which that body nave the exclusive power to fix.
$62,000 is required for new scboolhouses, making
a total for school purposes. $1 ,674,564. For like pur-
poses last year, si, 631,020. For new scboolhouses,
$30,000 is required for an iron roof for the English
High and Latin School buildings, instead of a
wooden one as originally contemplated; $30,000
for a six-room brick primary schoolhouse on
Polk street, Charlestown District, and S2000 for
fitting and furnishing the primary schoolhouse in
the Sherwin District. The amount of $30,000 for
the new primary schoolhouse, on land owned by
the city on Polk street, Charlestown District, is
the sum given by the Superintendent of Public
Buildings as the probable cost of a six-room
brick building. The request for this schoolhouse
is made by the School Committee, and is now be-
fore the Committee on Public Instruction of the
City Council, awaiting their action.
The amount of interest on all the city debt, ex-
clusive of the Water Works iuterest, which is paid
from the revenue derived from those works, shows
favorably the healthy working of the Sinking
Fund system, there being a reduction of $79,000
as compared with last year, and of $288,00
compared with two years ago. The total amount
to be raised by taxation in tbe estimates is
(1,619,000. The estimated amounts of interest to
be paid from Water Works revenue is, from Co-
chituate Water Works, $760,000; Mystic Water
Works, $69,580. Total estimated amount of inter-
est to be paid, $2,448,580.
Tbe amount of $45,000, which the Directors ot
the East Boston Ferries require for a new ferry
boat, is placed iu the estimates, subject to the
action of the City Council thereon, now pending.
The Committee on Streets ask for an appropria-
tion of $100,000, for grading and putting iu order
new streets, principally in the outlying wards,
which the Board of Street Commissioners may lay
out, to be expended under the direction of the
Superintendent of Streets.
The Paving Department require $900,000, which
is $50,000 in excess of the amount granted last
year, but the same as was asked tor then.
The Board of Directors for Public Institutions,
in their requisition, show a net increase for gen-
eral expenses of $6410 over last year, and ask for
$25,000 for stoue-cuttiug expenses at Deer and
Rainsford islands, which is offset in the revenue
column by $35,000 to be derived from the sale of
prepared stone, and $2800 for a new barn and coal
sheds on Rainslord Island.
The Board of Park Commissioners require $10,-
000 for the current expenses of their department.
The Board of Trustees of Mt. Hope Cemetaiy
represent that they actually need more land for
the proper burial of the poor, and ask for $4500
for that purpose.
The estimated expenditures for 1878-79
are 010,256,702
The estimated income tor 1878-79 is 2,281,950
#7 ,974,752
To which add three per cent, for the
amount which will not be paid into the
treasury during the financial year 239,243
We have a total which, in the judgment ot
the Auditor of Accounts, should be the
tax for 1878, exclusive of the State tax.. #8.213,995
The following is a comparison of the appropria-
tions asked for and estimated income compared
with those of 1877-78:
1878-79. 1877-78.
Appropriations #10,250,702 #10,267.258
Income 2,281,950 2,369,100
#7,974,752 #7,898,158
Percentage 239,243 230,946
#8,213,995 $8,135,104
Showing an increase of the appropriation, es-
timates and percentage, less revenue tor the finan-
cial year, compared with those of 1877-78, of
878,891.
The following table will exhibit the amount
which will be required to be taxed this year,
placing the State tax at the sum estimated by the
State authorities to the Legislature at the com-
mencement of its session, viz., $1,000,000. There
is now a project before the Legislature to reduce
the tax upon savings banks, and if a reduction to
any extent is made it may make necessary an in-
crease of the State tax. If the tax should be $1,-
000,000, Boston's proportion will be $412,740.
1878 7ii 1877-78
City and county, estimat-
ed and percentages #8,213,995 #8.135,104
state, estimated 412,740 619,110
#8,626,735
#8,754,214
This shows a reduction of the amount to be
taxed of $127,479, caused by the reduction in the
amount of the State tax, if it should be placed for
the State at $1,000,000. Tbe amount of reduction
of Boston's share of the State tax if the whole
tax is $1,000,000, as compared with last year is
$206,370. Increase of the city and county appro-
priations and percentages less revenue, compared
with last year, $78,891, leaving $127,479, as before
stated.
The Board ol Assessors may add to this sum to
be taxed of $8,626,735, by warrant of law, five per
cent., tor the purpose of covering abatements,
etc., a sum equal to $431,337, making a total tax
levy of $9,058,072.
The Assessors' valuation of the city for the
purposes of taxation, 1877, was $686,802,100, and
estimating that there will be a further reduction
in the valuation of taxable propeitythe present
year, and placing the valuation at $660,000,000,
MARCH
18 78
99
and the amount to be raised on poll taxes at $160,-
000, The rate per each 81000 of property would be
§513.49, against $13.10 last year, as follows:
Total tax levy, 1878, estimated $9, 058, 072
Less poll taxes, say 80,000, at $2 160,000
Leaving the amount to be raised by taxa-
ation on the valution of real and person-
al estates $8,898,072
With the valuation of real and personal proper-
ty at #660,000,000, and adopting the rate of $13.49
per each $1000 of property, we have a total of
$8,903,400.
The following table shows the rate of taxation
for each $1000 of property for the past four years,
and the valuation of the real and personal estate
on which it was based, viz. :
Year. Valuation. Rate tax
per #1000.
1874 #798,755,050.00 #15.60
1875--' 793,961,895.00 13.70
1876 748,878.100.00 12.70
1877 686,802,100.00 13.10
Below, and on pages 6, 7 and 8, may be found
comparative tables of the estimates for 1878-79,
with the actual appropriations for 1877-78, and of
the estimated income for 1878-79, compared with
that estimated for 1877-78.
Appropriations of 1877-78 — Estimates for 1878-79.
Estimated.
1877-78. 1878-79. Increase. Decrease.
Advertis -
ing $2,500 #1,600 .... #900
•Archi-
tect's
Dep't.... .... 15,000 #15,000
Armories, 22.000 20,000 .... 2,000
Assessor's
Dep't.... 92,167 94,000 1,833
A u ditor's
Dep't.... 15,650 15,900 250
Board of
H c alth,
E v e r -
g r e e n
C em.,
Q u aran-
tine Dpt.
and 1877
'78 fever
h ospital ,
G a Hop's
Island... 86,800 86.60® .... 200
B o s t o n
Harbor.. 5,000 4,506 .... 500
Bridges... 53,293 58,00© 4.707
Cedar
Grove
O e m . 5,000 5,00©
C 1 li f- 1 1 ^ p *\
Bridge.. 115,000 .... .... 115,000
Ches. Hill
Drive-
wav 3,500 5.000 1,500
City Debt. 072,700 664,903 .... 7,797
Citv Hos-
pital 125,000 125,000
City Reg.
D e p art-
ment.... 9,650 9.800 150
Collector's
De nart-
ment.... 42,600 43,600 1,000
C o m m on
and Pub-
lic Sq's.. 65,100 55,550 .... 9,550
C o rarann-
w e a lth-
a v e n ue
Fence... 6,000 .... .... 6,000
C omple-
tion W.
O li tester
Park, etc. 150,000 .... .... 150,000
Continge't
Funds... 13,000 11,500 .... 1,600
County of
•Suffolk.. 365,000 40O.000 35,000
East Bos-
tun fer-
ries, in-
cludi ng
n'wboat
1878-9.. 165,000 220,000 55,000
Engineer's
Dep't... 25,479 27,000 1,521
Fencing
& grad-
ing ar'd
Army <fe
Navy
Mon'm't .... 4.000 4,000
Fire Dep't,
fire al'm
tel'g'ph,
bells and
clocks... 586,222 596,249 10,027
Estimated.
1877-78.
1878-79. Increase. Decrease.
Grading
newst's.
100,000
100,000
....
Health
Dep't....
Incidental
365,000
364,650
350
expenses
87,000
85,000
....
2,000
Inspection
of build-
ings
Intr st and
14,000
23,000
9,000
premium
1,698,000
1,619,000
79,000
Lamps
490,000
482,946
7,054
Law Dep't,
18,440
18,440
.
....
Markets..
9,295
9,750
455
....
Mt. Hope
Cem 'fry
14,700
19,500
4,800
....
New boiler
h'se, jail
10,000
10,000
New sch'l-
house. ..
86,500
62,000
....
24,500
Old claims
2,000
2,000
....
Overs 'rs of
the poor
141,400
130,500
10,900
Bark Dep't,
10,000
10,000
Paving cle-
partm'nt
850,000
900,000
50,000
Police De-
partm'nt
841,300
854,000
12,700
Printing &
stat'nery
27,000
25,000
2,000
Pub'c b'ths
25,000
23,000
....
2,000
* Public
buildings
83,850
80,400
....
3,450
Public Institutions, viz.
H ouse of
Industry
184,950
186,100
1,150
House of
Correc'n
91,150
93,650
2,500
....
Lunatic
Hospit'l
59,720
53,200
6,520
Pauperex-
penses..
80,600
91,400
10,800
Steam'r J.
P. Brad-
18,170
17,200
....
970
Office ex-
penses..
7,350
8,300
950
Marcella-
st. Home
25,000
27,500
2,500
Almsh'se,
Austin
Farm....
18,000
14,000
....
4,000
Almsh'se,
Charles-
to'n Dis-
9,000
9,000
....
....
Addition
to o'l'dg
Rainsf'd
Island...
16,000
....
....
16,000
New pig-
gery, D'r
Island...
8,500
....
8,500
Stone cut-
ting, D'r
& Rains-
ford Isls.
....
25,000
25,000
....
Barn.R'ns-
f 'd Pslnd
....
2,000
2,000
....
Coal sheds,
Rainsf'd
Island. ..
....
800
800
Public
Lands...
«,000
5,500
....
500
Public Li-
brary . . .
120,126
123,000
2,874
....
Regist ra -
tion of
Vo t e r s
' aid Elec-
tion Ex-
penses.. .
22,200
25,600
3,400
Reser v e d
Fund....
300,000
300,000
....
Salaries...
31,950
32.500
550
Schools
& School
houses,
viz.—
School In-
structors
1.115,520
1,161,864
46,344
School Ex-
pen s e s ,
School
Commit -
245,000
271,000
26,000
Salaries of
Officers
t' c h o o 1
Commit -
51,000
56,700
5,700
....
Schccol-
houses,
Public
Mnildi'gs
133.000
123,000
• •
10.000
Sealer of
Weights
•V Meas-
ures. ..
3.700
5,800
2,100
10()
COMMON COUNCIL,
Estimated.
1877-78. 1878-79. Increase. Decrease.
Sewer De-
parting. 150,000 15(1.000
Sinking
!•' D u d
Commis-
sioners.. 800 800
Surveyor's
Depa rt-
ment S6.176 35,700 476
Treas'er's
D e p art-
ment.... 21,700 'J2. 700 l.ooo
West Bos-
ton and
other
Bridges. 6,500 7,000 500
Widen! n g
Streets.. 125,000 125,000
#10,267,258 #10.250.702 #461,111 #471,667
•Amount for Architect's Department included in
this appropriation, 1877-78.
The following table shows the estimated income
lor 1877-78 compared with that for 1878-79, with the
increase and decrease in each :
Estimated Estimated In- De-
1877-78. 1878-79. crease crease.
Armories.. #14,00o #9,500 .... #4.5oo
Board of
Health
& Quar-
antine... 12,000 12.(io(i
Bridges.... l,4oo 1,400
Citv Hos-
pital 5,000 8,000 3,000
C o r p o ra-
tion Tax 300,000 275,000 .... 25,000
County of
Suffolk.. lOO.OiKi 100,(i(Ki
East Bos-
ton Fer-
ries 170.0(10 176.000 5,000
Fees 6.200 6.2O0
Fire De-
partment 2,000 2,500 500
Health De-
partment 42,000 33.00H .... 9,('iiii
Interest... 175,000 145.000 .... 80,000
On t stand-
ingTaxes 500,000 126,000 .... 76,000
Overseers
of the
Poor... . 30,000 88,800 3,800
Paving I >i-
partment 40,( 30,000 .... 10,000
Police De-
partment 7.50(1 7,000 500
Printing... 5(> 50
Public In-
stitution* 38,001' 78,000 40.000 600
Public Li-
brary.... 3,000 2,600
Rents'. 120.1 Kii ) 123,000 8,000
Schools.... 19.000 lO.ooo
Sewer De-
partment 50,0oo 30 .<■■ .... 20,000
Tax and
o t li e l
fees 82,000 30,000 .... 2.000
Unclaimed
drafts... 2.000 2,000
#1,669.100 #1,547.950 #55,350 #176.5' 10
Excess of
liquor li-
c e n te
revenue
previous
financial
year ... 125,000 184,000 60,000
Excess ot
actual ,
income
A taxes
over >■?-
tima t e d
inco me
.V taxes
previous
financial
year 75,0oo 60,000 .... 25.000
Unexpend-
ed bal-
ances ot
appropri-
ations
previous
financial
year 500,000 500,000
Totals #2,369,100 #2,281,950 #114,350 #201.500
Total decrease of estimated appropriations
for 1 878-79 #471 .067
Total increase of estimated appropriations
for 1878-79 461.111
Net decrease of estimated appropriations
for 1 878-78 #10.556
Income.
Estimated income 1877 78 62,869,100
1S78 79...-. 2,281,950
Decrease of income L878 79 #87.150
Percentage <>f Taxes.
:; per cent, on amount required (7.974,752 1
in 1878 -79 8289,248
3 per cent, on amount required (7,898,158i
in 1877-78 236,945
Increase in 1878-79 #2.298
Recapitulation.
Net decrease of income in 1878-79 #87,160
Net increase of percentage in 1878 79 2,297
#89,447
Net decrease of appropriations 1878 79 10,556
Increase of the amount to be taxed, as stated
on page 4 #78,891
The accompanying communications, which I
have received I10111 the Bevera] boards, depart-
ments and committees) gives the details of the ap-
propriations which they require.
All of winch is respectfully submitted.
Alfred T. Tubkeb,
Auditor of Accounts.
\1 DITOa'S ESTIMATES, 1878-79— EXPENDITURES.
An estimate of the amount of money which will
be required to defray the expenditures of the city
id Boston ana the county ot Suffolk for the finan-
cial year 1878-79. commencing with the 1st day ot
May, 1878, and ending with the 30th day of April.
1879.
Citv of Boston,
Advertising -For subscription and adver-
tising in dally and weeklj newspapers
in the citv not chargeable to other ap-
propriations 81,600 00
Architect's Department— For the sala-
ries of the architect and employes, and
all expenses of carrying on the Archi-
tect's Depart 11 icnt 15,001 1.00
Armories— for lent anil repair of anno
riis. gas. etc . provided tor volunteer
militia, as required bj the acts of 1*74,
chapter 320, suction 83. and for inci-
dental expenses and encouragement of
the militia 20,000.00
The amount paid out for rent of ar-
mories is partlv reimbursed by the
State.
Assessors' Department -Salaries of Prin-
cipal. Kirs! and Second Assistant
Assessors, and clerks. printing,
stationery, advertising, and all other
expenses incurred in assessing the an
nual tax 'U
Auditor's Department— For salary of tin-
Auditor, clerk hire, printing, station-
ery, postage stamps, and all aecessan
expenses for carrying on the Audi-
tor of Accounts' department. The
amount to be paid by the Auditor to
Ills clerks shall lie in monthly instal-
ments on a pav-roll certified to hv the
Auditor of Accounts 16,90
Board of Health, etc.— Salaries of the
Board ot Commissioners, clerk and
einploves. and all expenses incurred
iid board under authority of the
ordinance relating to heaith. including
care of burial grounds and Evergreen
Cemetery; salaries of Port Physician
and assistant, captain, engineer of
propeller, deck hands and labor; board
and subsistence, fuel, nnrsesand keep
ere, furniture, medicine, tools, print-
ing, repairs on building and boat, and
all other expenses of quarantine de-
partment-
Board of Healtn #67,800.00
Evergreen Cemetery 1 ,200.00
Ouarantine Department 17. 600. 00
86.600.00
Boston Harbor— For cost of manning
and repairs of the Harbor Masters
boat, and other contingent expenses of
that department, which includes the
keeping 'he harbor free of ice and oth-
er obstructions, including the salary
of the Harbor Master, etc 4,600.00
Bridges -For repairs and maintenance
of the bridges belonging to the city of
Boston, as set forth in the requisition
of the Committee on Bridges; also for
the salaries of the several superintend-
ents of said bridges 58.00o.00
Cedar (irove Cemetery— For amount re-
quired by the trustees for care and im-
provement of the cemetery over and
above their income . 5,000.00
Chestnut Hill Driveway— Care and main-
tenance of this roadway 5.000.00
MARCH 7, 1878.
101
City Debt— For amount required to be
taxed for payment to the Board of
Commissioners on the Sinking Funds,
Dec. 1, 1878. to meet the requirements
of chapter 209, acts of 1875, entitled
an act to regulate and limit municipal
indebtedness, and section 2 of the
ordinance on finance of 1877
City Hospital— For the current expenses
of carrying on this institution
City Registrar's Department — b'or cost
of registration of births, marriages and
deaths, and other contingent expenses
of the City Registrar's Department, in-
cluding the salaries of the City Regis-
trar and clerks
Cochituate Water Works— The amount
of expenditures for carrying on, main-
taining and extending the Cochituate
Water Works, including the salaries
of officers and pay of laborers, being
the same amount' as estimated by the
Boston Water Board i §285,900). 'And
the interest on tl,e Cochituate Water
Loans and cost of the works, and pre-
mium and exchange with which part
of said interest is paid (#760,000), to
be defrayed from the revenue re-
ceived from said works, and all excess
of revenue, if any, over said payments
to be paid to trie Board of Commis-
sioners on the Sinking Funds for the
special redemption of saio loans.
Collector's Department— For salaries of
Collector. Deputy Collectors and clerks,
stationery, printing, postage stamps
and other expenses of this department
not chargeable to revenue derived
from costs on taxes and other assess-
ments, and advertising the same. The
amount to be paid by the Collector to
his clerks and deputies shall be in
monthly instalments, through the of-
fice of the Auditor of Accounts, on a
pay roll certified to by said Collector. .
Common. Public Squares, etc. — For care
and improvement of the Common.
Public Garden and public squares of
the city, including care of the trees on
the streets, the salary of the Superin-
tendent and pay of trie laborers
Contingent Fund's— For the expenses of
the joint standing and special com-
mittees of the City Council, not having
charge of any appropriations of money,
incurred by said committees while in
toe discharge of their official duties,
the bills for the same to be audited and
allowed for payment by the Auditor of
Accounts upon their first being ap-
proved by the Mayor, Chairman of the
Board of Aldermen and the President
of the Common Council $4,000.00
For the contingent expenses of
the Mayor, the bills for which
the Auditor of Accounts is au-
thorized to audit and allow
for payment upon their being
approved by the Mayor 1,560.00
For the contingent expenses of
the Board of Aldermen, to be
expended in such manner as
the Board of Aldermen shall
order, and the Auditor of Ac-
counts is authorized to audit
and allow for payment of bills
so ordered, upon their being
approved by the Mayor and
Chairman of the Board of Al-
dermen 3,000.00
For the contingent expenses of
Common Council, to be ex-
pended in such manner as the
Common Council shall order,
and the Auditor of Accounts
is authorized to audit and al-
low for payment all bills so
ordered, uyon their being ap-
proved bv The Mayor and Pres-
ident of the Common Council. 3,000.(10
ment of the ferries between the city
proper and East Boston $175,000.00
New ferry boat 45.000.00
Engineer's Department— For the ex-
penses of the Civil Engineer's Depart-
ment, including salary of City Engi-
neer
Fencing and Grading around Army and
Navy Monument— For the cost of erect-
ing an iron fence around the Army and
Navy Monument on Monument Hill,
Boston Common, and completing the
grading of said hill
Fire Department, etc.— For the payment
of the salaries of the Board of Fire
Commissioners and clerk, of the Chief
and Assistant Engineers, cleTks. offi-
cers and members of the Fire Depart-
604,903.00
125,000.00
9,800.00
43,600.00
55,550,00
11,500.00
220,000.00
27,000.00
4,000.00
rnent, and all other expenses of the
department :
For the salaries of Superintendent of
the Telegraphic Fire Alarm, and as-
sistants, and all expenses of operating
and keeping the same in order:
For repairing and taking care of pub-
lic clocks, payment to the Cambridge
Observatory, and ringing church bells
to denote the hours of the day—
Fire Department $573,449.00
Fire Alarm Telegraph 19,400.00
Bells and Clocks 3,400.00
Grading New Streets- For[def raying the
cost of gradidg and putting in order
new streets laid out by the Board of
Street Commissioners, "1878. to be ex-
pended under the direction of the Su-
perintendent of Streets
Health Department- For the expense of
sweeping and cleaning the streets,
lanes and squares, collecting house
offal, purchase and keeping of horses,
construction and repair of carts, wag-
ons, harnesses used by said depart-
ment, etc.; also the salaries of the
Superintendent and clerks, etc
Incidental Expenses— For cost of all
public celebrations, including the
Fourth of July; entertaining distin-
guished visitors and delegations from
other city governments; rewards; le-
gal expenses and judgments against
the city for accidents; also other ex-
penditures not provided for, or charga-
ble under soins other head
Inspection of Buildings— Salaries of the
Inspector of Buildings, assistants and
clerk, keeping horse, and expenses in-
cidental to the carrying on of this de-
partment
Interest and Premium — For the i ayment
of the interest on the city debt proper
(exclusive of the water debt), and the
interest on such temporary loans as
may be needed during the year in an-
ticipation of the taxes, including the
premium on gold, in which a part of
that on the city debt is paid
[The interest on the water loans
and debt is provided for under the
heads of Cochituate and Mystic Water
Works.]
Lamps — For cost of gas. burning-fluid,
gas fixtures, lamp posts, lanterns, horse-
keeping and all other expenses of light-
ing the city, including the salary of the
Superintendent, clerk and employe's. . .
Law Department — For salaries of the
City Solicitor and Assistant City Solic
itors, clerks, printing, stationery and
postage stamps. The amount to be
paid by the City Solicitor to his assist-
ants and clerks shall be in monthly in-
stalments, through the office of the
Auditor of Accounts, on a pay roll cer-
tified to by said City Solicitor
Liquor License Expenses— The amount
of expenditures for salaries of Commis-
sioners, clerks, and all other expenses
connected with the issuing of liquor li-
censes, to be defrayed from the amount
of fees received for licenses, all excess
of revenue over expenditures to re-
main in the treasury at the close of the
financial year. April 30, 1870, subject
to order of the City Council.
Markets— For the contingent expenses
of the market houses, such as fuel, gas.
police, night watch, public scales and
weigher, and all the expenses of the
markets, including the salary of the
Superintendent and deputy
[The expenses of keeping the build-
ings in repair are charged to Public
Buildings.]
Mt. Hope Cemetery— For tiie amount re-
quired oy the trustees for care and im-
provement of the cemetery, over and
above their income
Mystic Water Works— For the amount
of expenditures for maintaining, ex-
tending and carrying on the Mystic
Water Works, including the salaries of
officers, pay of laborers, as estimated
by the Boston Water Board ($100,000).
and the interest on the Mystic Water
Loans ($69,580), to be defrayed from
the revenue received from said works.
and all excess, if any, of revenue over
said payments tobe paid to the Sinking
Fund for the special redemption of said
loans.
New Boiler House. .Tail — The cost ot
erecting a new brick boiler house, and
connecting same with jail building
New SchoolhOUSeS — English
High and Latin School build-
ings; cost of iron roofs in
place of wooden ones, as
originally contemplated $3(UH><> in)
596,249.00
100,000.00
364,650.00
85,000.00
23,000.00
1,619,000.00
482,946.00
1S.440.00
9,750.00
19,500.00
10,000.00
102
COMMON COUNCIL,
For a brick primary school-
house, six rooms, l'c ilk street.
Charlestown District 80,000.00
For fitting and furnishing new
primary schoolhouse, Slier-
win District a. 000.00
old Claims— Fox the payment of such
bills and accounts against the city as
have been audited and allowed in tor
mer years, but which, not having been
called for in those years, must be re-
provided for in this appropriation bill,
as at the close of every financial year
all unexpended appropriations re-
maining In the Treasury are used to
reduce taxation the next' year
Overseers of the Poor— For the gross es-
timated expenditures of this board
[All the income for the support of
the poor of other cities and towns for
the burial of the State's poor, is paid
into the City Treasury.
Park Department For clerk hire and
assistance, engineering and surveying
expenses, printing, stationery, maps,
plans, etc
Paving Department For the expense of
paving, grading and repairing streets,
etc., including the salary Of the Super-
intendent, clerks, and pay of all the
employee In his department
Police Department -For the general ex-
penses of the Police Department, in-
cluding the salaries of the Chief and
deputy, captains, lieutenants, sot
geants. and patrolmen . also, maintain-
ing the steamboat Protector; all In-
come of the department being paid
Into the City Treasury
Printing and Stationery For the print-
ing, binding, blank books, stationery.
etc., required by the City Council, and
in \ arious public offices, not < hargeable
to some other appropriation
Public Baths— For the expenses of car
lying on the public bathing establish-
ments during the summer months
Public Buildings— For the ordinary re-
pairs on the public buildings and
wharves belonging to the city, exclu-
sive of the Bchoolhouses, police sta-
tions, engine houses, county build-
ings, and Cilv Hospital, which arc
otherwise provided for; also, for fuel,
light, and liirnilure for the public
Offices, City Hall, and cleaning of the
same; aiso salaries of the Superintend-
ent of Public Buildings, assistants,
engineer and janitor ol City Hall, aud
Superintendent of Faneuil Hall; also
for alterations of buildings not other-
wise provided tor
Public Institutions For the gross ex-
penditures required for carrying on
the institutions in charge of the Board
of Directors for Public Institutions,
including the cost of running the
steamboat .1. Putnam liradlee, and for
the support Of criminal State paupers.
etc.
House of Industry 1186,100.00
Hou>c of Correction 93,660.00
Lunatic Hospital 58,200.00
Support of criminal State
paupers at State Reform
School at Wes thorough.
the state industrial School
for Girls, and certain pris-
oners in houses of correc-
tion in other counties: also
for support of pauper luna-
tics in State lunatic hospi-
tals, and for transportation
of State paupers, etc 91,400.00
Steamboat . I. Putnam Brad-
lee 17,200.00
Office expenses 8.300.1 Mi
Marcella-street Home 27.600.00
Almshouse. Austin Farm... 14,00011(1
Almshouse, in Charlestown
District 8,000.00
Stone cutting. Deer and
Rainsford islands 26,000.00
Barn, Rainsford Island 2,000.00
Coal sheds, Rainsford Island 800.00
Public Lands Salary of the Superintend-
ent, for grading of land belonging in
the city, and other expenses of the Pub-
lic Land Department
[The proceeds from the sales ol the
public lands are especially appropriated
for the payment of the debt of the city.]
Public Library— For the salaries of the
Superintendent and assistants; for the
purchase of books, cost of fuel, light,
furniture, and other incidental ex-
penditures for can \ ing on the library
and Its branches
Registration of Voters and Flection Ex-
penses—For the cost of the reglstra-
62.0O0.0i'
2,000.0*
130,500.00
lO.oOO. on
Doo.ooo.o*
854,000.00
26,000.00
23,000.00
SO. 400.00
628,150.00
6,600.00
123,000.0*
tion of.volers. preparing, printing and
posting Of voting lists, salaries of ward
Officers, Pay Of constables for notify-
ing the inhabitants, and all other ex-
c"iii ted With tl lections 25,600.00
Reserved Fund— This amount to he re-
served tor such purposes as the City
Council may hereafter decide to appro-
priate it. by transfer, for objects not
Contemplated at the time ot making
up the appropriation order, which are
matters of taxation :;oo,000.0»
Salaries For payment of the salaries of
the Mayor. Mayor's Clerk, City Clerk,
and clerk hire, Clerk of the Common
Council and his clerk. Clerk ot Com-
mittees and his assistant . Messenger
and Assistant Messengers of the Cilv
Council, etc 32.500. 00
Schools and Schnolhouses -For the ex-
penses of ail the schools, such as sala-
ries, fuel, apparatus for warming and
ventilating, ordinary repairs and rent
of schoolhouses and rooms, furniture,
school books and other hooks, print-
ing, stationery, mans, philosophical and
other apparatus, care of and cleaning
houses, and other incidental expenses,
as per estimates Of the Committee on
Public Buildings and the School Com-
mittee, viz.—
school Instructors 01,161.864.00
School expenses. Sol 1
Committee 271,000.00
Salaries of officers, School
Committee 56,700.00
Schoolhouses. in charge of
Committee on Public
Buildings 12:! 000.00
1 012,564.00
Sealer of Weights aud Measures -For
all the expenses ot carrying on this
department, including salaries of the
Sealer and his assistants 6,800.00
Sewers For constructing new sewers
and repairing old ones, and all other
expenses ol t his department . including
safari ol Superintendent; all income
from assessments on those liable to
contribute to the Cost of tin- sewers
being paid into the City Treasury 150,000.00
Sinking Fund Commissioners -To meet
the expenses 01 the Board of Commis-
sioners on the sinking funds for the
payment or redemption of the citj
debt 800.00
Surveyor's Department— For the ex-
penses of the Surveyor's department,
including the salary ol the Surveyor. 35. 700. 00
Treasurers Department For salary of
the City Treasurer clerk-hire, printing,
stationery, postage stamps, and all
necessary expenses for carrying on the
Treasurer's department. The amount
to he paid by the Treasurer to his
clerks shall he' in monthly Instalments,
through the Office Of the Auditor of Ac-
counts, on a pay roll certified to by said
Treasurer 22,700.00
Boston -ind other Bridges -Salary
of Commissioner, and one-half of the
cost of the care and maintenance of
W.st Boston, Cragie'S and Prison Point
Bridges 7,000.00
Widening and Extending Street*— For
the expense Of small wideninSS and ex-
tensions as it may he necessary to
make during the financial year; also
for the incidental expenses ami sala-
ries of the Board of Street Commis-
sioners #75.000.00
For unsettled Claims oi previous
years 50,000.00
— 125,000.00
Total estimated expenditures on account
of the city of Boston 89,856,702.00
County of Suffolk:
For the usual gross expenditures on
county accounts, such as salaries oi the
Sheriff, .lodges and Clerks of the sever-
al Municipal District Courts. Assistant
Clerks ot the Supreme Judicial and
Superior Courts, officers of certain
courts. Chaplain and officers of the
.tail, Keeper of the County Court
House. Registry of Deeds and Probate
offices. Indices for the Registry of
Heeds, arranging papers in Probate
Office, fees of witnesses, Jurors.coro-
ners and commissioners, -I udge of Pro-
hate in insane cases; keeping in repair
and furnishing the Court Houses, the
Jail, the Registry of Deeds and the
Probate Offices; also fuel, light, print-
ing and stationery tor the County
Courts and offices; supplies for the
.1 ai I . e tc 400,000.00
Total estimated expenditures ot the City
M A K C H
1878
103
of Boston and County of Suffolk for
1878-79 $10,256,702.09
Estimated expenditures, as stated
above #10,256,702.00
Estimated income 2,281,950.00
Balance to be provided for #7,974,752.00
To meet the sum of $7,974,752 in time
for the service of the financial year
will, in the opinion of the Auditor, re-
quire a gross tax of $8,213,995.00
From which deduct three per cent, of
$7,974,752 for the amount of taxes
which will not be paid in during the
year, say 239,243.00
We have the amount required, as stated
above $7,974,752.00
Alfred T. Turner,
Auditor of Accounts.
Auditor's Office, March 5, 1878.
Incom e, 1878-79.
Estimate of the income of the city of Boston
and county of Suffolk for the financial year 1878-
1879, commencing with the first day of May, 1878,
and ending; with the thirtieth day of April, 1879:
City of Boston.
Armories — Amount receivable from the
State for rent of armoriis furnished
by the city for the volunteer militia,
Acts of 1874, chapter 320, section 85,
and 1877, char-ter 171 $9,500.00
Board of Health, etc.— For cost of abate-
ment of nuisances #8,000.00
Quarantine— fees 4,000.00
Bridges— From rents, etc
City Hospital— Income from patients
Corporation Tax — From the State of
Massachusetts, the city of Boston's
share of the corporation tax
East Boston Ferries— From tolls
Fees. etc. — From the City Clerk, for fees
for recording mortgages of personal
property, for licenses, and for use of
Faneuil Hall $4,500.00
From City Registrar, for cer-
tificates of marriage inten-
tions 1,700.00
Fire Department— From sales of old ma-
terials and manure
Health Department — From the sale of
house offal, street manure and ashes. .
Interest— Receivable for interest on de-
posits and taxes, etc
Outstanding Taxes — Estimated amount
receivable from outstanding taxes
Overseers of the Poor— Collections by
this board for support of the poor of
other cities and towns in the State,
and from State for the expenses of
burying Slate paupers
Paving Department— From sidewalk as-
sessments, sale of old materials, etc. . .
Police Department — From the
Chief of Police, in reimburse-
ments of the expenses of po-
lice officers stationed at places
of public amusement and oth-
er places at the expense of
the city #3,500.00
Licenses for trucks, wagons
and carriages 3,500.00
12,000.00
1,400.00
8,000.00
275,000.00
175,000.00
6,200.00
2,500.00
33,000.00
145,000.00
425,000.00
33,800.00
30,000.00
Printing and St tionery— From sales of
copies of Revised Ordinances
Public Institutions— Income derivable
from all sources
Public Library— From the sale of cata-
logues and tines collected
Rents— Receivable for rents of the "Old
State House," market houses and other
city property
Schools— From dog licenses, non-resi-
dent pupils and other sources
Sewers — From assessments for con-
structing new sewers and for the right
to enter old ones, etc
Tax and other Fees— From fees received
for collecting taxes and other assess-
ments in the Collector's Department..
Unclaimed Drafts — Amount of hills
against the city allowed and charged
by the Auditor to their respective ap-
propriations, but which will not be
called for at the treasur\ office before
the commencement of the next finaii-
cial year, on and after May 1. 1879
7,000.00
50.00
78,000.00
2.500.00
23,000.00
19,000.00
3n.000.00
30.000.00
2,000.00
Liquor License Revenue — Estimated
amount to be received from excess of
receipts from liquor licenses over ex-
penditures on account of the issuing of
liquor licenses, for the financial year
1877-78
#1,447,950.00
184,000.00
Excess of Actual Income and Taxes-
Estimated excess of actual over esti-
mated income and taxes tor the finan-
cial year 1877-78 50.000.00
Unexpended Balances of Appropriations
—Estimated amount of unexpended
balances of appropriations for the
financial year 1877-78 500,000.00
Estimated income on account of the
City of Boston for 1878-79 $2,181,950.00
County of Suffolk.
From fines, costs, fees, payable into the
county treasury by the officers of the
various courts, bv the sheriff of the
■ county, etc 100,000.00
Total estimated income on account of
the Citv of Boston and County of
Suffolk for 187S-79 $2,281,950.00
Alfred T. Turner,
Auditor of Accounts.
Auditor's Office, March 5, 1S78.
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS FROM THE HOARD OF
ALDERMEN.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Reports of leave to withdraw on petitions, viz. :
W. E. L. Dillaway, to be paid for personal in-
juries from a fall in South street.
John Raddin, to be paid for cushions for Steam
Fire Engine 7.
T. A. Splaine, for leave to place boats on Pub-
lic Garden pond.
Severally accepted in concurrence.
MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE MECHANIC EXHI-
BITION.
A report came down with orders to permit the
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association
to occupy the city lot at junction of Columbus
avenue, Pleasant and Eliot streets, and the Ten-
nyson-street schoolbouse, for their exhibition, on
the terms and conditions therein set forth, and
for temporary accommodations to be furnished
the pupils of said school.
Tlie question was upon giving the orders a sec-
ond readiDg.
Mr. Coe of Ward 23 moved to amend the second
order by striking out all after the word "pur-
pose," and inserting instead thereof the words,
"the expense thereof to be assumed and paid In-
said association."'
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— I trust the amend-
ment will be carried. I had proposed to have
this matter referred to the Committee on the Ju-
diciary, to ascertain the legality of the city letting
this schoolhouse. I understand from the Commit-
tee on Public Buildings it will cost the city some
three thousand dollars to provide for the schools:
and under the decisions wo have had heretofore.
it is clearly illegal for the city to expend money in
this way. But with the amendment offered by'the
gentleman from "Ward 23. 1 am willing to vote for
the order.
Mr. Burke of "Ward 2— I hope that amendment
will not prevail. I think the members of the
Council know that the city of Boston used to con-
tribute much to the exhibitions of this association
by giving them the use ot Faneuil Hall.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— No, never.
Mr. Burke — I have been informed so this very
evening. I would say that the committee were
unanimous in their report, and if there is any ob-
jection to charging the expense to scboolho'uses,
public buildings, it might be charged to inci-
dental expenses. The gentleman from Ward 17
informs me that the city did not give the associa-
tion the use of Faneuil Hall: but I have bean in-
formed on what I consider reliable authority that
the city always gave them the use of Faneuil Hall.
Mr. President, 1 think the city of Hos-
ton ought to aid. in some measure, this
association, for 1 believe that in years
past, and up to the present time.it has been a
benefit to the city : and 1 think there is no ques-
tion but this coming exhibition will benefit the
city of Boston quite as much as the citv will lose
by the operation. I trust that some of the aen-
tlemen will consider this a little further heTore
we act upon it. and see the propriety of chargiug
this to incidental expenses.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 am informed by the
Auditor that while the association have always
had the use of Faneuil Hall, thev have always
paid for Quincy Hall by an annual rental, and in
it was the main part of their exhibit. The Citv
Council cannot pass the^e orders legally; we have
no right to take from the taxpayers the three
thousand dollars necessary to provide accommo-
lOJr
< ! < >M M O N COUNCIL,
datious for the schools. We ought not to pass
orders which are illegal, and although I proposed
to bring the question of its legality before the
Council, yet I will not object to them with the
gentleman's amendment proposing to have the
expense paid by the association.
Mr. Burke— f did understand that the associa-
tion did lease (Juincy Hall from the city aud sub-
let it to other parties with the understanding that
they should have it once in three years tor their
exhibitions: and I understand that they have had
the use ot Faneuil Hall free. As to the'legality of
the city giving the use of this schonlhouse free, it
is a question 1 have not thought of, and it is
strange that the committee should have over-
looked it, as some ot the oldest members ot the
City Council were upon the committee, and we bad
quite a lengthy hearing. I think the city of Bos-
ton should aid in this exhibition.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— There is no question
but tbey had the use ot Faneuil Hall free, as no
charge is made for it for any purpose.
But this is a different case. The city b IS
to spend .53000 to provide outside accom-
modation for those schools during the ex-
hibition. The city has no right to vote money to
aid the exhibition, but I am willing the city
should do all it can legally to aid the exhibition.
Mr. Dantorthof Ward 10— I have no doubt the
Charitable Mechanic Association is a very worthy
institution; but it is a ri di one. At the hearing
last year, the vice president ot the association tes-
tified that they paid $.3000 to tenants to move
from (>uincy Hall every time they bad a fair, and
that they made $10,100 by their exhibition. Now,
I think we should not give them this money, be-
cause it is unnecessary.
Mr. Burke— It will i>e readily seen that a good
part of the time the association occupy the school-
house will be during vacation ; and I fail to see
how it will cost the city so large a sum.
Mr. 1*06 of Ward 23— If we have no right to vote
away the money ot the city for this purpose, it
makes no difference whether it be five dollars or
five thousand. This association proposes to hold
the exhibition for the benefit of its own treasury,
and I tail to see why we should vote the money of
the taxpayers to provide temporary schoolhouses
for the benefit of this association.
Mr. Spenceley Of Ward l!i— I should be very glad
to vote this sum of money for this association, but
it will be quite impossible lor me to vote for it in
the shape it is now. It provides that the Super-
intendent of Public Buildings shall provide the
schoolhouses. As this expenditure has not been
provided for in the appropriation for the year, it
will be quite impossible for the Superintendent ot
Public Buildings to do it. If it is charged to in-
cidental expenses, as the gentleman from Ward 1
suggests, I should be happy to vote for it; but I
cannot do so as the matternow stands. The sec-
ond order provides that the building may be re-
moved bv order of the City Council or the Board
of Aldermen, and 1 don't understand the phrase-
ology. I don't know why this phraseology was
used, because the Board of Aldermen might vote
to take it away and the Common Council might
not concur. It seems to me that the words Board
of Aldermen are superfluous, and that it ought to
be subject to the action of the City Council. I
move to amend by strikiug out the words "Board
of Aldermen or," so that it will be by vote of the
City Council.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— This is a very im-
portant matter, and one that we ought to give
more time to than we are iu a condition to do to-
night. 1 hope it will lie over one week, aud there-
fore move that it be laid upon the table.
The orders were laid upon the table.
Later in the session Mr. Spenceley offered an
order— That the special committee to whom was
referred the petition of the Massachusetts Char-
itable Mechanic Association be requested to ob-
tain from the City Solicitor his opinion in regard
to the legality of the city paying the expense at-
tending the removal of the schools from the Ten-
nyson-street Primary Schoolhouse. Read twice
and passed. Sent up.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley the report and or-
ders relating to the petition of the association
were taken from the table and specially assigned
foi next Thursday evening at half-past eight
o'clock.
COMMISSIONER <>K CAMBRIDGE BRIDGES.
A certificate came down of the election of Fred-
eric. W. Lincoln as Commissioner of Cambiidge
Bridges. Placed on file, and an election was or-
dered. Committee— Messrs. Lauten of Ward 14,
Cox of Ward 15, and O'Connor of Ward 8. Fred-
eric W. Lincoln received 57 votes, the whole num-
ber cast, and was elected in concurrence.
SECOND LS818TANT ASSESSORS,
A certificate came down of the election of thirty-
three Second Assistant Assessors.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 read a letter from Dud-
ley R. Child declining on account of business en-
gagements to serve as Second Assistant Assessor
for Ward is, lor which he had been elected by the
other branch, and Mr. Sampson said that in "cou-
sultation with other members of the delegation
from that ward he nael been requested to say tbey
unanimously recommended the name of Christo-
pher C. Ryder in place of Mr. Child.
An election was ordered, and on motion of Ml".
Richardson ot Ward 1(1 a committee of six was ap-
pointed to receive and couut votes.
Committee— Messrs Coe of Ward 23, Sampson
ol Ward IS, Barry of Ward 22, Hill ot Waul 14,
Plimpton of Ward 21 and Howland ot Ward 5.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19 a recess
was taken, at the eud of which the committee re-
ported as follows:
Whole number of votes 60
Necessary to a choice 34
Wards.
1— *lsaiah W'hitten 66
2-* Albert H. Taylor... 60
'John Bryant «<>
*D. D. Taylor ui
Wards.
14— "HoseaB. Bowen.,.59
(ico. W. Kingman.. 6
• I. T. Coughlln 1
15— "Daniel J. Holland. .65
5-*Dennis G. Quirk... 86 Hi— »W. W. Dromev <;<i
6— t Michael D. Collins. 62 17— Thomas A. Tallon. .21
♦John Carvln 56 Dudley R. Child 5
John Fay ll +< 'hristo'r C. Ryder.34
James L. l.iuigley... 24 118— ♦Samuel P. Oliver. .66
7— tEdward J. Biley....35
Samuel B.Krogman.31
8— ♦Thos. J. Anderson. .54
Martin Jennir.gs 10
Thos. Gaffield f
9— Walter Harmon 15
•Frank Fuller 51
10— ♦Wm. s. Whitney.. .66
♦Increas e ED. Noj es. 66
ll-Mohn R. Briggs....66
Jarvls I). Braman. ..ll
*. lames Standtsh. . . .55
12— John -I. Murphy. ...33
John Murphy 1
•.i iiim Osborne. Jr. .47
"Alfred I. Woodbury. 47
13— Thomas Haney ..26
"Dudley Pray 4i>
19— t Francis E. llines 41
Joanna Dyer 23
C. ('. Kvder 2
20— ♦Frederick II. Field.50
Edward W. Dolan.,80
♦Joseph W'liite. Jr. .44
21— Matthew R. Walsh..20
*(ieo. Warren 50
•John ('.Cook 62
Patrick II. Rogers. <i<;
23— ♦Edward P. Butler. .66
John F. Pavson... ,66
'-'4 'Win. Withiugton. .66
"Joseph E. Hall 66
26— *Geo. W. Warren.. ..66
" Elected in concurrence.
t Elected in non-concurrence.
Sent up.
CONSOLIDATION OF HARBOR POLICE A M > HABBOR
MASTER.
On motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19, the
Council took up the special assignment lor nine
o'clock, viz., Order to accept an act concerning
the Harbor Master of Boston, chapter 04, acts
1862.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 am in favor of the
report, but 1 understand that merchants large-
ly interested in this matter have presented a
petition to the City Council, which, by mistake,
has gone to the Board of Aldermen, asking for a
hearing on this matter; and I move that further
consideration ot the subject be specially assigned
to next Thursday evening, and that the commit-
tee be authorized to give the petitioners a public
hearing.
The motion prevailed.
UNFINISHED I'.lsl.MSS.
Older lor Committee on Improved Sewerage to
expend §14,775 for land taken and damages occa-
sioned by extension of Hereford street. Passed
iu concurrence.
Order allowing the Directors of East Boston
Ferries to contract for fuel for the next financial
year. Passed in concurrence.
Order to pay Hall & Whipple 92.30 for refresh-
ments for Committee on Licenses of 1*77. I'assed.
Sent up.
Order to pay following bills: Heliotype Print-
ing Company, for map of procession Sept. 17. and
circular, §115.88; F. L. Gilman & Co., balance due
on two historic monuments, $60.00; George J.
Coyie, loam at monument in Boston Highlands,
§34.50. Passed. Sent up.
sAI.l. n] i ki:i:\ BOAT AND PUBCHABE OF M.«
ONE.
The orders to allow the Directors of East Bos-
ton Ferries to purchase a new boat and sell the
old boat General Grant, the cost of said uew boat
MARCH 7 , 1878
1U5
not to exceed $45,000, were considered under un-
finished business.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I would like to ask
the Council to allow that order to remain another
week before acting upon it. I am not prepared
at this time to state some facts in relation to it
as I should like to do; but it is possible that in-
formation can be obtained from some other
source. I do not do this for the purpose of op-
posing it; but I understand from the committee
there is no particular haste about it, and there-
fore I move that the order lie upon the table for
the time being.
The order was laid upon the table.
auditor's monthly exhibit.
The Auditor's exhibit for March 1 was received.
Sent up. Appropriations, $16,337,415.16; expend-
ed, $12,778,163.54; balance unexpended, $3,559,-
251.62.
THE AVENUES TO THE EAST BOSTON FERRIES.
The following was received :
The Street Commissioners respectfully return
herewith the report and order referred to them by
your honorable body, requesting them to lay out
as public ways the avenues making the ap-
proaches to the East Boston ferries from Com-
mercial street on the city side, and from Sumner
street in East Boston. A petition irom a number
of citizens was presented a year ago to the com-
missioners, askiog for the acceptance of these
streets by the city. Subsequently the commis-
sioners met with the ferry directors and with
others interested, and upon representations made
to them have caused surveys and plans of the
streets prepared. The ownership of "them having
been found to be in the city, subject to the rights
of the abutters in certain 6t them, and as they are
in charge of the especial employment of the city
through the Department of Ferries ; the commis-
sioners cannot undertake to transfer these streets
unreservedly to the public without the explicit
request of the City Council that they should be
so. The commissioners therefore await your de-
cision upon the order herewith returned to you
before acting in the premises.
By order of the City Commissioners,
J. H. Jenkins, Clerk.
The report was accepted, and 'he order referred
to therein, requesting the Street Commissioners
tojlay out the aforesaid avenues as public streets,
was read a second time and passed. Sent up.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
A petition was received from Mary Troy to be
paid for personal injuries caused by a fall in
Pembroke street. Referred to Committee on
Claims.
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10 presented the peti-
tion of Thomas C. Vales for repayment of money
paid for a void tax title. Referred to Committee
on Claims.
Severally sent up.
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL COM-
MITTEE AND ANNUAL TRANSFERS.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17 submitted the follow-
ing:
The Committee on Finance, to whom was re-
ferred the request of the School Board for an
additional appropriation of $51,450, respectfully
report as follows : It was the policy of the City
Council last year to insist upon the substantial
reduction of salaries in every department. The
amount then asked for by the School Board for
salaries of instructors was $1,211,150. The aver-
age reduction of salaries in other departments
of the City Government on the first day ot
May (the commencement of the financial
year) amounted to more than ten per
cent.; but the employes in the Public School De-
partment were engaged in a virtual contract till
Sept. 1. Secondly — Their salaries were not re-
duced till that time. In view of this fact, the
Committee on Public Instruction recommended
the reduction of only $95,630, or less than eight
per cent. The amount asked by the School Board
for officers' salaries was $57,350, of which a reduc-
tion was recommended by the Committee on Pub-
lic Instruction of $6350. The appropriations as
reduced by this committee and passed by the City
Council were —
For salaries of instructors 81,115,520
For salaries of officers 51,000
Although the amount asked for by them for
officers' salaries was only cut down $6350, the
School Board now report a deficiency of $7125,
making a total expenditure of $775 more than the
sum tor which they originally asked. In the
opinion ot your committee, the original appropri-
ations for salaries, both ot officers and instructors,
were liberal in comparison with salaries paid in
the other departments of our citv. We consider,
therefore, that the action of the School Board
in establishing salaries upon a basis which
would be sure to create a large deficiency,
was unjustifiable. It appears, however, that the
School Board has authority to establish salaries
for their officers and instructors, and the City
Council has simply the choice of appropriating
the required amount or ordering the schools to be
closed when the original appropriation is ex-
hausted. As your committee are not prepared to
favor the latter alternative they would recom-
mend the passage of the following order. Your
committee also report the annual order authoriz-
ing the necessary transfers of appropriations to
be made by the Auditor of Accounts, in closing
the present financial year, with the approval of
the Committee on Finance :
Ordered, That the Auditor of Account* be and
he hereby is authorized to transfer from the Re-
serve Fund to the appropriation lor School In-
structors the sum of $44,325, and to the appropri-
ation for Salaries of Officers of the School Com-
mittee the sum of $7125.
Ordered, That the Auditor of Accounts be and
he is hereby authorized to make such transfers of
appropriations as are required to make up the de-
ficiencies in other appropriations, and such others
as may be necessary in closing the business of the
financial year, which terminates April 30, 1878;
all such transfers to be reported to the Committee
on Finance for ratification and approval.
The orders were severally passed to a second
reading and laid over.
THE BATHING DEPARTMENT.
Under unfinished business, the Council consid-
ered the motion to refer to the Committee on
Bathing the order to consider the expediency of
placing the Public Bathing Department in charge
of the Board of Health.
Mr. Sawyer of Ward 24— I offer an amendment
that in place of the Committee on Bathing it be
referred to the Joint Committee on Health.
Mr. Pearl of Ward 1— I hope it will not be re-
ferred to the Committee on Health. As I said be-
fore, I think the proper committee is the Commit-
tee on Bathing, who ought to understand this
matter better than any other committee in the
City Council. 1 hope it will not be referred.
Mr. Sawyer of Ward 24—1 was in hopes this or-
der would have been referred to the Committee
on Ordinances; but as the Council have seen fit
not to so refer it, and as we have heard from the
Committee on Bathing, and as from the statement
of the chairman of that committee I feel confi-
dent we shall not hear anything from the commit-
tee, I trust ic will be referred to the Committee on
Health. They will report whether it is desirable
to make the change or not.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— The gentleman who
has just sat down has certainly made a very broad
statement in saying that if it is referred to the
Committee on Bathing we shall not hear anything
from them. If he would look at his manual he
would see that a report can be called for within
four weeks. I hope it will be referred to the
Committee on Bathing, for there is no reason why
they should not report upon this matter.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— 1 trust this will not
be referred to the Committee on Bathing. It
seems to me it would be highly improper. They
are the committee trom whom tnis is to be taken.
We all know that this committee is one from
which more political influence emanates than
from any other, and that the Presidents ot this
Council, fiom year to year, have had more press-
uieto be appointed upon that committee than
upon any other, for the political iufiuence that
emanates 'rom it. The proper reference would
be to the Committee on Ordinances, but I hope it
will be referred to the Committee on Health
rather than to the Committee on Bathiug.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24— The chairman of the
Committee on Bathing has already expressed his
views and expressed them stronglv, and he thinks
his committee cau take charge of it better than
any other, and he thinks it can be carried on more
cheaply by them than by any other department, as
this statement comes from the chairman of the
committee, we may naturally conclude that that is
the opinion of the Committee on Bathing. Now. il
we refer it to the Committee on Health we shall
get an opinion from them that is not biased at
all. This is a part ot the business ot the Commit-
1()6
COMMON COUNCIL.
tee on Bathing, and tbey ieel tbat it would be tak-
ing away their business from them, and we might
nor get just such a report from them as we might
wish to Dave. I think we should get a more un-
biased report from the Committee on Health.
Mr. Burke o( Ward 2—1 hardly understand this
question, but it seems to me a little strange to
hear the statement from the gentleman trom
Ward 17. It is the old story ot political influence.
1 don't know of any way that the Committee on
Bathing could use their offices for political influ-
ence any more than any other committee of the
City Government. In fact, this whole City Gov-
ernment is a political body, the wa> 1 view it, and
I think there are very lew men in City Halibut
who owe their offices to political influence and
power. I think that tins is hardly a lair charge
against the Committee on Bathing. TbP same
question was raised about allowing the Second
Assistant Assessors to be elected by this body,
because it gave too much political powei to cer-
tain men. Hut it we placed them in charge of the
Principal Assessors we would put the same power
in the hands of a tew men. Now, if the Commit-
tee on Bathing have a little political power by
this office, and it is proposed to turn the depart-
ment over to the Board of Health, we will thereby
give that power to three men. 1 hope the order
will lie over until we can investigate it a little
more.
Mr. Sampson ol Ward 17- 1 hardly think the
gentleman from Ward 2 expresses Ins" honest sen-
timents, because he has been here long enough to
know. He must know that this committee have
the appointments of men to take charge of the
bath houses, and wield political influence, and
that the Presidents of the Council have been se-
verely pressed by members of the Common Coun-
cil to get appointed upon that committee, for the
sakeot wielding this political power. Whether it is
rightfully wielded or not is not the question before
as. This order only contemplates that the com-
mittee shall consider the expediency of the trans-
fer. When their report comes in the question of
tlfe transfer will come before us.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward * -The statement made
by the gentleman from Ward 17, that members
want to get. upon this committee for the sake of
the political influence they can wield, is a remark-
able one. Vet tuey want to refer it to the Commit-
tee on Health, who have seventeen times the pat-
ronage that the Committee on Bathing has. They
control one of the largest departments in the city
of Boston and employ more men.
Mr. Sampson of ward IT— Do the members of
the Committee on Health employ the men?
Mr. Mctiaragle— They have the* recommendation
of them, tiie same as the Committee on Bathing
have. That department employs ladies— 1 don't
know whether it is controlled by ladies or not;
but that is the part I would like to control myself
—and it is no sign that they use it as a political
machine. The Committee on Health have the
largest political influence of anv department in
City Hall.
Mr. Barnard of Ward 24— Leaving out the politi-
cal question— which I don't think ought to come
in here at all — but faking the question of the ex-
pense, we all know that the public, baths are car-
ried on at a great expense. 1 think that tbey can
be carried on at a great deal less expense, and
that the Board ol Health can reduce the expense
considerably. I think the Board of Health re-
duced certain expenses connected with that de-
partment some years ago, and if they had the
handling of this department they might also re-
duce this departments expenses.
Mr. Pearl of Ward 1 — In regard to the exnense,
1 should like to know what committee or depart-
ment could make a better showing than the Com-
mittee on Bathing. In 1863 it cost the same num-
ber of people $36,000, and this year all we ask for
is $23,000. In that time the appropriation has been
cut down about forty per cent. If there is any
department that can make a better showing I
should like to see it.
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— It seems to me we are
arguing the expediency ot making the change.
Now, the question is, what committee shall we re-
fer this to to consider the expediency of making
the change? It seems to me it would be rather
absurd to refer it to a committee who are one of
the parties to the case. We ought to find an im-
partial tribunal who will ascertain and report to
the City Council the reasons for a change, if there
are any.
Mr. Mctiaragle— I would ask what difference
there is between this committee and the Commit-
tee on Common and Squares. Hid they not come
in here and report on about the same subject-
that the Common and Public Crounds be placed
in charge ot the Park Commissioners? They were
willing that their power should he taken from
them. What is the difference between the two
committees?
Mr. Crocker— The gentleman seems to think
that because one committee has been magnani-
mous enough to report in favor of doing away
with its power, all other committees would do so.
I think it is probably an exceptional case. I think
that this and all such matters ought ordinarily to
he referred to some impartial tribunal who "will
consider whether there should he any change, and
report to the Council the reasons why there should
he any change, and the Council can consider
them. Here is a certain committee— I don't know
who the members are, except the gentleman who,
1 understand, is chairman— who wield a good deal
of power and patronage; and it seems to me to be
absurd to refer to them the question wheth-
er that power and patronage should be
taken away from them. The chairman is
outspoken in the belief that that is one of the fin-
est committees in City Hall, and that thev are do-
ing everything wonderfully correct and in a very
desirable manner. That may be true: but if we
want to find out whether it is, we don't want to
refer it to the committee who say it is all very
beautiful. We want to refer it to some commit-
tee who will report the facts on both sides. I
hope we shall refer it to some other committee! I
think it might be referred to a special commit-
tee.
Mr. Hosnosky of Ward 16— If in order. I would
move to amend by striking out the "Board of
Health'' and inserting the "Park Commission-
ers.''
The Piesident— The Chair thinks that would not
be in order.
Mr. Sawyer of Ward 24 moved that the vote be
taken by yeas and nays.
Mr. Burke ol Ward 22— If 1 thought there was
any necessity for making this change. I might not
oppose the motion of the gentleman from Ward
9; but, no charges have been made against the
committee for incapacity to perform the duty as-
signed them ; theretore, I think there ought to be
some charges before the inquiry is made. Speak-
ing about the employ.-, I suppose those places
have got to be filled by somebody. 1 suppose,
while we have bathing houses, that we should
have proper persons to look after them
in the summer season and to take care
ot them in the winter time. Now, the
question seems to be whether these gen-
tlemen are using their power iu a proper manner
or not. and whether they are using their patronage
for their own interest 01 in the interest of the
city. I have no doubt that the committee are
using their power for the interest of the city, and
until I hear some definite charges made, I see no
reason for a change. If the department is put
under the Board of Health, it is evident tbat tbey
will make the appointments now made by the
committee. It will only be a question as to whose
friends will get the places. Now, I will say that I
have just as much confidence in the honesty of
the members of this Council as I have in the men
who are the heads of departments in this Citv
Hall.
Mr. Spenceley of Ward 19—1 feel a good deal as
the man did who was writing a letter. He put a
■•P. S." down at the bottom, "If you don't get this
letter, go and see who has got it." Now, it seems
to me that after the suggestion of the gentleman
trom Ward IT as to this political chicanery going
on, we ought to find it out. But I am "not in
favor of referring this to the Committee on
Bathing, as that would be like asking a man
whether he should be hanged or not. I don't
know about referring it to the Committee ou
Health, and therefore I move that it be laid on
the table until such time as we can find out what
is the proper committee to refer it to.
The order was laid on the table.
»\i..\liir> OF BMPLOYBS in 1111: PI BXIC INSTITU-
TIONS.
Mr. Sampson of Ward IT— In years past it has
been the understanding of the City Council that
the Board of Directors for Public Institutions
have bad the fixing of the salaries of their em-
ployes. Last year the Committee on Retrench-
ment undertook to fix its salaries, and on July 2,
I think, the City Council passed an order request-
ing the opinion ol the City Solicitor as to the right
MARCH
18 78.
107
of the CittfcCouncil to fix the salaries of those em-
ployes. Wiat opinion was not given during the
year, and an order was introduced here in
January last asking for the opinion of
•the City Solicitor upon the same subject.
Up to the present time no communication
from tbe City Solicitor has been received by this
body. I understand that the Committee on Sala-
ries are at work arranging salaries for the coming
year, and as the Directors for Public Institutions
are anxious to have this matter settled, as there
are various statutes which give them the power
to fix the salaries of certain officers, it has been
suggested that the matter might be settled by
striking out the following paragraph from page
478 of the ordinance:
- "Provided, however, that the compensation of
all persons employed shall be subject to the con-
trol of the City Council."
This will leave the matter just as it has been,
with the Board of Directors and not the City Coun-
cil.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 want to hear some
good reason for it. By the kindness of the Presi-
dent I was placed upon the Committee on Salaries.
Now, sir, I do not know but the Directors for Pub-
lic Institutions may know what their employes are
worth better than I do; but I don't propose to
have this power taken out of my hands without I
know something about it. 1 am not authorized to
speak for the Committee on Salaries, and I don't
want to speak for them until they make their re-
port; but if they are not competent to hx the sal-
aries of city employes they are not competent to
be upon the committee. The committee have not
yet made any report or fixed any salaries.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 would like to ask
the gentleman from Ward 8 what a nurse for a
lunatic hospital ought to be paid, and what the
clerk in one of the institutions ought to be paid;
and whether the gentlemen elected to this City
Council are more competent to fix the salaries of
school teachers than the school board are ? By law,
the directors have a right to fix certain salaries,
and this amendment is to define their powers.
The City Council never tried to fix the salaries of
the employes of the public institutions before last
year*
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 don't stand up
here to put my humble opinion before that of the
Board of Directors. What I object to is the gen-
tleman standing up here and forestalling the re-
port of the Committee on Salaries. He don't
know what they will report. It is an injustice to
them to forestall their report.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17— My object is not to
forestall the action of the committee. I don't
know how they are likely to act. The City So-
licitor has not sent any opinion here.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5— It is not that the directors
want to forestall the report of the Committee on
Salaries ; it was the City Council of last year that
forestalled the action of the directors. Now.it
seems to me that this order is about right. Last
year I voted for the report of the Committee on
Retrenchment. I knew no more about the sala-
ries of the employes of the Directors for Public In-
stitutions than I did about any other; but it
was the report of a full committee, and after
talking with some members of the committee I
find that they knew more about it than I did. It
seems to me that the directors know what the
duties of their officers are, and after serving a
month on that board I find that they are an
economical set of men and scrutinize their em-
ployes. I hope the order will pass.
Mr. McDonald of Ward 12—1 rise to a point of
order. The joint rules say—
"All by-laws passed by the City Council shall be
termed ordinances, and the enacting style shall
be, 'Be it ordained by the Alderman and Common
Council of the city of Boston in City Council as-
sembled.' No order or vote which, if passed,
would have the effect to amend, suspend or re-
peal an ordinance, shall be entertained in either
branch of the City Council, unless it is in the form
of an ordinance."
Now, sir, according to that, I think that the or-
dinance offered by the gentleman from Ward 17
must be out of order.
Mr. Sibley— Mr. Healy has stated over and over
again that an order passed by the City Council
and signed by the Mayor does repeal an ordi-
nance.
Mr. Barry— This seems to be a question of so
much magnitude that the City Solicitor has been
considering it some eight months and has not
yet rendered a decision, that I do not think the
average member of the City Council has a right-
Mr. McDonald— I would like the ruling of the
Chair upon my point of order.
The President— The Chair thinks it should be in ^
the form of an ordinance.
Mr. Sampson of Ward 17—1 would move to
amend by inserting at the beginning the usual
enacting clause, and I also move that it be re-
ferred to the Committee on Ordinances.
Mr. Burke of Ward 2—1 desire to say a word
upon this before it is disposed of in order to be
consistent with my action last year. I shall advo-
cate the passage of this order. At the time the
Retrenchment Committee reported last year I ad-
vocated the taking of the fixing of the salaries
out of the hands of all the departments, not only
the Directors for Public Institutions, but all
others. But I believe that where directors are
established and have entire management of the
departments, they ought to know the value of
their employes, and in some cases I should be
willing to leave it in the hands of the committees.
I have no idea that the directors will pay exorbi-
tant prices, but I think they will pay regular
prices, 1 know that in some cases last year the
reductions made were very unjust and unfair and
ought not to have been made.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8— Speaking for myself,
and not for the Committee on Salaries, I dou't op-
pose this order. I don't favor touchiug any of
these salaries; but suppose we should vote an en-
tire sum for the salaries of the department. I am
afraid that under that order the directors would
feel authorized to go beyond that sum.
The subject was referred to the Committee on
Ordinances. Sent up.
ALLOWANCE FOR A DISABLED FIREMAN.
Mr. Webster of Ward 3 offered an order— That
there be allowed and paid to Charles Furlong, a
member of Hose Company No. 2, Boston Fire
Department, the sum of $200, on account of in-
juries received by him at a fire in the Charlestown
District, Jan. 31, 1878; said sum to be charged to
the appropriation for the Fire Department. Re-
ferred, on motion of Mr. Webster, to the Joint
Committee on Fire Department. Sent up.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Mr. Sibley of Ward 5 offered the following:
An Ordinance Relative to the Common and Pub-
lic Grounds.
Be it ordained by the Aldermen and Common
Council of the city of Boston, in City Council as-
sembled, as follows:
Section 1. Every power and authority now con-
ferred by ordinance upon the Committee on the
Common* and Public Grounds shall hereafter be
exercised by the Board of Park Commissioners,
and said board may employ such assistants and
laborers as may from time to time be required to
carry out the powers hereby granted; provided,
however, that no money shall be expended by
said board unless it shall have been first appro-
priated by the City Council.
Sect. 2. The third and fourth sections of the or-
dinance relating to parks are hereby repealed,
and the office of Superintendent of the Common
and Public Grounds is hereby abolished.
The question was upon giviug the ordinance a
secoud reading.
Mr. McGaragle of Ward 8—1 ask the ruling of
the Chair if that Ordinance is properly before the
Council, this subject matter having been already
before the City Council, decided in the negative,
and a reconsideration refused.
The President — The subject before the Council
was for the Committee on Ordinances to consider
the expediency of transfering the care and man- v
agement of tbe Public Grounds to the Park Com-
missioners. Tbis comes up in auother form, and
the Chair thicks it is in order.
Mr. McGaragle— I shall have to appeal from the
decision of the Chair on that, and I beg leave to
call the attention of the Council to page 892 of
Cushing's "Law and Practice of Legislative Bod-
ies" :
"It is a rule of parliamentary practice, which
has already been generally considered, that no
question or motion can regularly be offered, upon
which tbe judgment of the House has been ex-
pressed during the current session. This rule is
essential, in order to avoid contradictory deci-
sions, to prevent surprise, and to afford proper
opportunity for determining questions as they
severally arise."
Also on page 893, referring to the same—
108
COMMON COUNCIL.
'•Neither does it require the pendency of a bill
in order that the judgment of the House may be
expressed in such a manner as to preclude the in-
troduction of the subject a second time; a judg-
ment of the House upon a motion for a bill being
equally effectual to preclude the introduction of a
bill as a judgment upon the bill itself."
And on page 8'J4 of the same author —
"When a bill is already pending, and a motion
Is made for leave to introduce a similar bill, the
Question to be determined is, whether, if a motion
should be adopted, it would authorize the intro-
duction of a bill substantially the same with that
already pending; if it would, then the motion is
contrary to the rule."
But tlie point 1 wish to make is on page 896, m
a marginal note:
"The rule, when stated broadly and fully, may
be thus expressed, namely: that when the House
has already done a particular thing, that thing can
neither be undone nor otherwise done; and that
when the House has refused to do a particular
thing, that thing cannot be done."
Now, sir, that order and this ordinance are in
substance the same exactly, and whereas there
may be a distinction, theie is no practical differ-
ence. The order contemplated that the Commit-
tee on Ordinances should frame an ordinance to
place this department in charge of the Park Com-
missioners. Now, sir, this is the same identical
order, except that it is in the form of an ordi-
nance giving the Park Commissioners the author-
ity that we have already refused the Committee
ml Ordinances the power to frame an ordinance
for.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 would like to ask
the gentleman a question. There is upon our
table among unfinished bnsidesa a motion to re-
fer to the Committee on Bathing an order to con-
sider the expediency of placing the Bathing De-
partment in charge of the Hoard of Health. That
order came down, and the question was whether
it should he referred to the Committee on Ordi-
nances. The Council refused to refer it to the
Committee on Ordinances, and afterwards the
question came up of referring it to the Committee
mi Health, and that is still pending. Is that out
of order ?
Mr. McGaragle— I claim that it is not out of
order, because the Council never passed upon it.
It has been brought up as unfinished business.
This is an entirely differeut matter. The Council
have already passed upon this matter, and have
negatived it. Now it is sought to introduce it in
a different form by changing the order to an ordi-
nance.
Mr. Barnard of Ward ii4 — I raise the point of
order that the appeal has not been seconded.
The President— The point of order is well taken;
the appeal has not been seconded.
Mr. Flynn of Ward 10— I second the appeal.
The President— The question is, Shall "the deci-
sion of the Chair stand as the decision of the
Council ?
Mr. Crocker of Ward 9— It seems to me to be.plaiu
that the gentleman reads from Cushing's book on
parliamentary law what does n't meet the case.
The question that the Council has decided is on
the drawing up of the ordinance. Now there may
be various reasons why the Council would not ask
the committee to draw up the ordinance ; it may
be that they don't want such an ordnance, and
they may not think the Committee on¥)i finances
competent to do it. It is entirely a different ques-
tion. The question was whether the Committee
on Ordinances should do it, and the various rea-
sons which influenced the Council to act in that
way may not influence them now. Now here is an
ordinance before us for us to judge of its merits.
Mr. MeGaragle— The gentleman from Ward !»
has given us a distinction, and probably by fur-
ther enlightening 08 he will show us a little of the
difference.
Mr. Danforth of Ward 10 — I wish to say that,
hearing that the President of the Council was
sick today, and might not be here, I inquired of
the City Clerk, who is well posted on parliament-
ary practice, and he me told me that this was en-
tirely in form.
Mr. Burke raised the point of order that the
gentleman was not speaking on the appeal.
The President— The Chair thinks the gentleman
was discussing the subject of the appeal. The
original order which came before the Council was
to direct the Committee on Ordinances to consider
the expediency of reporting an ordinance trans-
ferring the public grounds to the Park Commis-
sioners.
Mr. McGaraele— I think you are in error there.
1 think it was an imperative order for them to
frame such an ordinance.
The President read the original order,— which
was, That the Committee on Ordinances he re-
quested to report an ordinance transferring,
etc.. — and added, "It now comes before us in the
shape of an ordinance, and the Chair thinks it Is
in order The question is upon the appeal."
Mi.Brawley oi ward 19— The question being
upon the appeal, nothing has been shown why we
should not sustain the decision of the President.
The question was put, and the decision of the
President was sustained.
The question came on giving the ordinance a
second reading.
Mr. Sawyer of Ward 2i moved that the subject
be specially assigned to next Thursday evening at
eight o'clock.
Declared carried.
Mi. McGaragle of Ward 8 doubted the vote, and
on his motion the yeas and nays were ordered.
The motion to assign prevailed— yeas 42, nays
21:
Yeas — Messrs. Barnard, Brown, Clapp, Coe,
Colby, Crocker, Danforth, Day, Ham, Hill, Hollis,
Howlaod) Kendricken, Kidney. Mcliahey, Mc-
Geough, Mowry, Pearl, Perham, Plimpton, J. B.
Richardson, M*. W. Richardson. Roach. Rn<t. E.
H. Sampson, (). H. Sampson, Santry, H. N. Saw-
yer, N. Sawyer, Shepard, Sibley, Smith. J. F.
Taylor, J. Taylor, Thompson, Thorndike, Toppan,
Ward, Whicher. Wilson, Wolcott, Wyman— 42.
Nays— Messrs. Barry, Brawley, B. Brintnall, N.
Y. Brintnall, Burke, Cannon, ("ox. Doherty, Dry-
nan, Fernald, Flynn, Kellev, Lauten, Lovering,
McDonald, McGaragle, Muilane, Mullen, O'Con-
nor, Rosnosky, Spenceley— 21.
Absent or not voting —Messrs. Denny, Devlin,
Hibbard, Nason, Pierce, Roberts. Webster, Wool-
ley— 8.
Adjourned, on motion of Mr. Spenceley of Ward
19.
109
BOARD OF ALDKRMEN
CITY OF BOSTON.
Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen,
MARCH 11, 187H.
Regular meeting at four o'clock P. M., Alder-
man Stebbins, Chairman, presiding.
JURORS DRAWN.
Four grand and two petit jurors were drawn for
the March term of the I'nited States District
Court.
EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS.
Special Police Officers — James H. Harlow,
George A. Maun, John S. Gray. Continued.
Measurers of Wood and Bark— Robert Hale,
Alfred A. Hall, Randall G. Morse, J. B. L. Bart-
lett, Frederic C. O'Brien, Morton Alden, William
T. Osborn, Marshall H. Wells, Samuel L. Tuttle,
William Seaver, Daniel E. Adams, Jonathan Fro-
bock, Samuel Hosea, Jr., Alonzo H. Stowell, Salnia
Kendall, James A. Cogswell, Thomas J. Eliott,
Elbridge Walcott, John G. Abbott, Jr., Robert
Seaver, John W. Wiggin, Frederic Seaver, Horace
Lindall. Severally confirmed.
Weighers and Inspectors of Bundle Hay— Israel
M. Barnes, John A. Dyer, Edwin Y. Brown,
Jairus L. Litchfield, Edward W. Harding, Wil-
liam P. Boardman, William S. Holmes, Jasper H.
Eaton, Charles E. Avery, William Lincoln. Sev-
erally continued.
Surveyors of Marble— William B. Bayley, Wil-
liam H. Cary, Daniel Higgins. Confirmed.
Inspectors of Petroleum, Earth Rock Oil and
Other Products— Robert F. Means, Nathaniel
Cleaves, Nathaniel P. Cleaves. Continued.
Superintendents of Hay Scales— North, Henry
A. Davis; South, Levi Chadbourne; South Boston,
John M. Johnson; East Boston, John A. Brown ;
Roxburv, Andrew W. Newman; Brighton, Benja-
min F. Paine; West Roxbury, John J. Blake,
Horace Lindall. Continued.
Commissioner on West Boston and Cragie
Bridges— Frederick W . Lincoln. Continued.
HEAKINl, ON STEAM ENGINE.
A hearing was had on the petition ot H. M.
Richards & Co. for license to erect and use a
steam engine at 14 Chardon street. No one ap-
peared to object. Referred to Committee on
Steam Engines.
PETITIONS 11 EKE lilt ED.
To the Committee on County Accounts. Nathan
Morse and other members of the Suffolk Bar that
indices be made to attachments of real estate in
Registrvof Deeds lor Suffolk County.
To the Committee on Hewers. Henry Dudl
at., for a sewer in Green street, Ward 23, from
Washington street to Stony Brook; William H.
Allen, that the Winter-stree't sewer be deepened;
Patrick Meehan et at., for a sewer in Green street
and Union avenue.
To the Committee on Common, etc. Glcudon
Company et ul., that Prescott square be laid out
as a public park and be fenced in; Charles II
Parker et al., that the lot of land bounded by
Huntington avenue, Dartmouth street and Boyls-
ton street be laid out as a public square.
To the Committee on Health on the part of
the Board. Petitions tor leave to occupy stables
as follows: James Fagan, two brick stables for
six horses each, on Warwick street, rear 90 to 96
Hammond street; A. Shurtlell, M. 1>., new wood-
en, five horses, on private street from Medford
street; Martin Hayes, old wooden, one horse, in
rear of 132 Essex street; William Lovell, new
• wooden, four horses, Lincoln street, Ward 25;
Samuel Cushing, new brick, twelve horses, 11 and
13 Mechanic street; Martha Bartlett, two new
wooden, four horses each, in rear Green street;
Michael Slyne, new wooden, two horses, Bolton
street; John Dequau, new wooden, one cow and
one horse, Lincoln street, Ward 25; John Mclune-
ry, old wooden, two horses, North Mead street.
To the Committee on Paving. John Bainard,
that Faxon street be put in order; Elbridge
Torrev et at., that Washington street, Ward 24,
between Melville avenue and Centre street, be
graded and put in order; Henry Dudley et al., for
curbstones, gutters and sidewalks on Green
street, between Washington street and Provi-
dence Railroad crossing, West Roxbury; Aaron
D. Williams et al., that Island street be graded,
etc.; Malachi Clark, for leave to sprinkle
certain streets during the coming season :
Hiram Simmons et at., for edgestones and
brick sidewalk on St. James avenue;
Glendon' Company el al., that Prescott
and Eagle streets be graded from Trenton to Put-
nam street, and edgestones set; Samuel N.
Brown, Jr., et at., that Huntington avenue, from
Dartmouth street to the bridge, be completed by
setting edgestones, laying sidewalks, planting
trees and sodding such parts as are proposed.
Petitions for leave to move three wooden build-
ings, by William R. Cavanagh, from 229, 225 and
227 West Second street to B street, near West
Third street; Matthew M. Hackett et al., that
North Harvard and Franklin streets, Ward 25, be
put in order.
To the Committee on Lamps. J. S. Bibrim et
al., for additional street lamps on Russell street,
Charlestown.
To the Committee on Claims. William fecollan,
to be paid for loss of a horse and damage to his
vehicle on Fairfield street.
To the Joint Com mitiee on Survey and Inspec-
tion of UuUdings. Robert S. Frampton, for leave
to enlarge a wooden building onNeponset avenue;
Fitchburg Railroad Company, for leave to erect a
wooden building for a giaiu elevator on Constitu-
tion wharf.
I NFINI8HED Bl SINESB.
Order for abatement of au edgestoue assess-
ment upon estate of Lawrence Norton, on Boyls-
ton avenue, and for re-assessment of same on
Lawrence Kelly. Passed.
Order to give the name of "Holdeu Row" to a
new street leading from Wesley street, Charles-
town. Passed.
Order to allow Sawyer, Hollis & Co. to set tele-
graph poles ou Weston avenue and Market street,
Brighton, on certain conditions. Passed.
PAPERS l'ROM THE OOHMOD 001 MIL.
Petitions were referred in concurrence.
Order for Committee on Consolidation ol Duties
performed by the Harbor Police and fire boats
to give a public hearing on that measure. Passed
in concurrence.
Reierence of Auditor's Estimates for 1878-79
(City Document No. 25) to the Committee on Fi-
nance, with such as the Board of Aldermen may
join. The Board concurred, and Aldermen Karris,
\ "iles, Blade, Whiton and Whidden were joined to
the committee.
ordinance to amend the ordinance in relation to
public institutions by striking from section 4 (see
Ordinances, page 478) the words "provided, how-
ever, that the compensation of all persons em-
ployed shall be subject to the control of the City
Council." Referred to the Committee on Ordi-
nances in concurrence.
Order to pay Charles Furlong S200, for injuries
received at the recent tire in Charlestown. Re-
ferred to the Committee on the Fire Department
in concurrence.
Order for City Solicitor's opinion on the power
ot the city to contribute towards the expense of
removing the scholars from the Tennyson-street
Schoolhouse in order to grant the petition of the
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association
for accommodations tor their exhibit. Passed in
concurrence.
Order to pay Hall & Whipple #2.30 for refresh-
ments for Committee on Licenses of 1877. Passed
in concurrence.
Order to pay the following bills: Heliotype
Printing Company, for map of procession, Sept.
17, and circular, $115.88; F. L. Gilman & Co., bal-
ance due on two historic monuments. $60.00;
George J. Coyle, loam at monument in Boston
Highlands, 134.50. Passed in concurrence.
Auditor's Monthly Exhibit (City Doc. 26), show-
ing the condition of the several appropriations on
March 1, 1878. Placed on tile.
I AST B08TOS KERRY AYENI BS.
Report of Board of Street Commissioners on
subject of laying out as highways certain avenues
leading to the ferry slips; also the order request-
ing said commissioners to lay out said avenues as
proposed, came up from the other branch for con-
currence in the passage of the same.
Alderman Harris— The Board will observe that
the commissioners abstain from making any rec-
ommendations in regard to the expediency of lay-
ing out the streets. I have had but little time to
investigate the matter in order that I might be
satisfied as to the proper course to take. My own
idea is that the matter had better be deferred,
because, as it is now, by instructing the Street
Commissioners to lay out these streets we abso-
MARCH 11
1 8 7 8 .
HO
lutely ignore some million dollars' worth of prop-
erty which they have cost. Now it is possible that
at some subsequent period it may be expedient to
change these terry landings. I Jcnow the matter
has been considered and thought over, and as I
before remarked the commissioners have ab-
stained from making any recommendation, and
thereby the whole responsibility is thrown upon
us. In order that we may obtain farther informa-
tion in regard to the matter 1 ask that the whole
subject be laid upon the table.
The order was laid on the table.
SECOND ASSISTANT ASSESSORS.
A certificate was received from the other branch
of the election of certain Second Assistant Asses-
sors, as follows:
Ward 6— Michael D. Collins in place of James
L. Quigley.
Ward 7— Edward J. Riley in place of Samuel B.
Krogman.
Ward 17 — Christopher C. Ryder in place of Dud-
ley R. Child, resigned.
Ward 19— Francis E. Hiues in place of Joshua
Dyer.
A ballot was ordered. Committee— Aldermen
Faunce and Hayden.
Alderman Whidclen — Before the vote is taken
I wish to state that Mr. Child is not a candidate.
He has withdrawn his name for that position from
Ward 17.
The ballot was taken, with the following re-
sult:
Whole number of votes 11
Necessary for a choice 6
Ward 6.
Michael D. Collins 4
"James L. Quigley 7
Ward 7.
Edward J. Eiley 3
*Samuel 15. Krogman 8
Ward 17.
■[Christopher C. Ryder .'. 10
Dudley R. Child 1
Ward 19.
tFrancis E. Hines 9
Joshua Dyer 2
* Elected in non-concurrence,
t Elected in concurrence.
FIRES AND ALARMS FOR FEBRUARY.
The monthly report of the Fire Commissioners,
giving the locations and the number of fires and
alarms during the month of February, was re-
ceived. Sent down.
THE JURY LIST.
A communication was received from the Board
of Registrars of Voters transmitting a list of the
jurors qualified to serve in the County of Suffolk
which had been compiled by said Board in accord-
ance with ihe provision of chapter 207 of the acts
of 1876, and which had been posted for more than
ten days in the Court House and City Hall. It was
transmitted to the Board of Aldermen for their
revision and acceptance. The list was laid over
for one week.
PETITION FOR STEAM ENGINE.
A petition was received from George F.
Meacham, for leave to erect and use a stationary
engine in building corner of B and Second streets,
South Boston, and an order of notice was passed
for a hearing thereon on Monday, April 1, at four
o'clock P. M.
THE PRICE OF GAS.
Alderman Hayden submitted a report on the pe-
tition of Michael F. Lynch et «/.,tbat the city
take steps to reduce the price charged for gas by
the gas companies— That the City Government,
having no power, by legislation or otherwise, to
control the price of illuminating gas to consumers
made by the several companies, can offer no rem-
edy for the grievances complained of, and there-
fore recommend that the petitioners have leave to
withdraw. Accepted.
LICENSES.
Alderman Guild submitted reports from the
Committee on Licenses, as follows:
Minors' Applications Granted — Twenty-two
newsboys.
Auctioneers Licensed — Tileston C. Power, 15
School street; T. S. G. Robinson, 92 Main street;
John B. Dearborn, to act solely in connection
with sheriffs' sales.
Wagon Licenses Granted— Edwin A. Blake, 502
Trem'ont street; Patrick J. Cogan, 1080 Tremont
street; John J. Callahan, to do the business of
Hogg, Brown & Taylor.
Junk Dealer Licensed— Timothy Derrick, 136
Ninth street.
Intelligence Office Licensed— Julia R. "Wood, 89
Court street.
Hack Licenses Granted— John C. McDermott, 6
Troy street; John McNamara, 35 Pemberton
square; John T. Murray, Holyoke street, at Hotel
Berwick.
Hack License Refused— John Quinn, 209 Federal
street.
Severally accepted.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Hayden submitted a report from the
Committee on Assessors' Department of leave to
withdraw on the petition of Charles F. Shimmin
and Albert G. Van Zandt to be refunded a half
part of a certain tax paid as trustees of the will of
Peter Parker. Accepted. Sent down.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE BACK BAY PARK.
Alderman Guild submitted the following:
The Committee on Parks, who were requested
to ascertain and report why the work of filling
the Back Bay Park, as authorized by the City
Council, has not been commenced, beg leave to
submit the following report: Since the passage
of the order appropriating the sum of $25,000 for
tilling a portion of the park, your committee have
been unremitting in their endeavors to have the
work promptly commenced. When the order of
inquiry reached the committee, they immediately
sent to the Park Commissioners requesting in-
formation on the subject, and received the follow-
ing reply:
Park Department, March 8, 1878.
Curtis Guild, Msq., Chairman of I he Committee
on Parks : Dear Sir— In reply to your communica-
tion Of the 7th tilt., requesting information con-
cerning the reason why the filling on Back Bay
Park has not been begun, I beg to say that the
city has not yet come into possession of the three
parcels of land known as the Huntington, Parker
Hill and Longwood entrances, and therefore the
commissioners cannot enter upon the same with-
out committing trespass. Arrangements were
made with the Health Department by which a
portion of Parker street was widened without
cost to this department, to enable cars to reach
Westland entrance. This is not believed to be a
favorable point for the work contemplated by the
order, but as it is the only one immediate-
ly available, and perhaps would do some good in
the direction desired by the City Council, the
commissioners arranged" accordingly, a notice of
which has been printed in the newspapers, a copy
of which accompanies this. I beg to remind you
that this department has no authority in regard
to examining or passing upon titles to land for
the purchase of which they have negotiated, and
can only proceed upon the lands after the deeds
are taken by the city. I take this opportunity to
say that the examination of titles to lands pur-
chased by the commissioners on Back Bay should
be completed at as early a day as possible.
Yours truly,
Charles H. Dalton.
Upon receiving this communication, your com-
mittee inquired the cause of the delay in examin-
ing the titles, and were informed that the work
had been found to be much greater than was an-
ticipated, involving an examination into water
rights, and questions of law and fact, which were
not known to be necessary when the order to pur-
chase the land was passed. The person who has
charge of the examination of the titles has pro-
ceeded as fast as possible with the work, and has
completed the examination of the titles to the
Longwood entrance. It will take a short time to
prepare the aeeds and convey this land to the
city, and the work of filling at this point can be
commenced. The work of filling the Westland
entrance, mentioned in the above letter ironi the
Park Commissioners, was commenced today.
For the committee.
Cirtis Guild, Chairman.
Alderman Guild— The report says that immedi-
ately on receiving this order of inquiry the com-
mittee addressed a letter to the chairman of the
Park Commissioners. 1 only desire to reiterate
what I expressed at the last meeting of the Board,
that the committee had repeated interviews with
the Park Commissioners, and had received in-
formation very nearly to the same effect of that
which has been rehearsed to you. But we thought
it best to present this information officially to the
City Council. I also wish to sav that the Park
Ill
BOA.RU of aldermen.
Commissioners and the Committee on Parks have
been using every exertion to forward this work.
The report was accepted. Sent down.
PROPOSED SALE OE ENGINE-HOISE LOT.
Alderman Harris offered an order— That the
Committee on Public Buildings be authorized to
consider and report on the expediency ot dispos-
ing of that portion of engine-house lot on Soley
street, Charlestown District, not in use either for
school or engine-house purposes. Read twice and
passed. Sent down.
SEWKK-.
Alderman Viles, from the Committee on Sewers,
reported an order for the construction ot a sewer
in Winter street, between Washington street and
Winter place. Read twice and passed.
PROJECTING SIGN REFUSED.
Alderman Viles submitted a report from the
Committee on Police of leave to withdraw on pe-
tition of A. E. Alden, tor leave to suspend a can-
vas sign at 503 Washington street. Accepted.
LA1SOK AT THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Alderman Viles submitted the following:
The Board of Directors for Public Institutions
have received a proposal from a reliable business
firm in the city tor employment of about forty
men in the manufacture of chain cables; but in
order to secure a contract for this labor it will be
necessary to erect a building suitable tor the
business. Said building, to be of brick, with cor-
rugated iron root, can be erected for the sum of
§9000. The subject has received the favorable
consideration ot a committee of the board, and at
a meeting ot the board held on the 9th instant
it was voted to request the City Council tor an
appropriation of §9000 for this purpose. The
board would suggest that this sum can be spared
from the unexpended balance of this year's ap-
propriation for pauper expenses, and respectfully
request that a transfer ot this kind be made at as
early a day as practicable. Respectfully,
Saw kl Little, President.
Alderman Viles— 1 would state that thi> con-
tractor has had the work at the State prison for
several years. On account of the prison being
removed to Concord he is cut short ot labor. He
has applied to the Directors for Public Institu-
tions to see if anything can be done at South Bos-
ton. The directors chose a sub-committee who
have been through it thoroughly. They find that
they can make a contract with those parties for
three years and employ forty or fifty laborers
there, and they came to the conclusion that it is
the best thing for the city to do. We can pay for
the cost of the building the first year, and after
that it will pay a handsome profit In the usual
course this should go to the Committee on Public
Institutions, bnt I will ask for its reference to the
Committee on Finance in order to save time.
Alderman Whidden— Is the Alderman correct is
saying that the profits on the labor will pay S9000
—the cost of the building— the first year?
Alderman Viles— The sub-committee have so re
ported. They have been into the matter verv
thoroughly. This is for the manufacture of chain
cables. There is no other party in the city who
manufactures them. On account ot the removal
of the prison to Concord the contractor is short
of labor, as he does not wish to go there.
Alderman Harris— I hope the communication
will be referred to the Joint Committee on Public
Institutions, for them to report upon the expe-
diency of this measure. I want that committee to
report exactly the profits in Hollars and cents. A
mere verbal statement don't amount to a great
deal with me. I am one of those who doubt
whether the city can make money by going into
the chain cable business. If it is referred to the
committee, and they, Jafter due inquiry into the
matter, recommenu that we avail ourselves of this.
then I shall be ready to adopt it. I move that it
be referred to the Committee on Public Institu-
tions.
Alderman Viles— I spoke to the Chairman of the
Committee on Public Institutions and he has no
objection to its going to the Committee on Fi-
nance. The directors say it is the best thing to be
done. I hope it will go to the Finance Committee
in order to help the matter along.
The communication was referred to the Com-
mittee on Public Institutions by a division— C for,
2 against. Sent down.
THE PROPOSED NEW COURT HOI -
Alderman Slade submitted the following:
The Committee on County Building-, to whom
was referred the accompanying City Document
No. 22, being a message from his Honor the Mayor
on subject of new Court House, respectlul-
ly report as follows : Your committee are well
aware that the public convenience requires a new
Court House. The demand for such seems to be
imperative, the city having outgrown its present
accommodations. This demand has not sudden-
ly come upon us, but has been increas-
ing year by year with the growth of
the city. The great difficulty thus far has been
in the selection of a suitable site and the cost of
the building. His Honor the Mayor suggests in
his message the selection of the reservoir site, so
called, at th rear of the State House, togetter
with the estates bounded by Hancock, Mt. Ver-
non, Derne and Temple streets. The valuation of
this lot, as given, exclusive of the reservoir lot,
is $214,000. The City Architect has given us as
judgment that a Court House erected on this
lot would cost §1,200,000; add to this the value of
the land taken, and you have a building costing
$1,414,000.
It has been suggested in favor of the
present site that the granite blocks of which
the reservoir is constructed might be used
in building the foundations and basement story
of the new building, thereby decreasing the cost.
Your commntee have given them as the opinion
of prominent builders and mechanics that noth-
ing would be gained in this direction, as the cost
of removing, recutting and replacing this stone
would be as much, if not more, than new would
cost delivered on the site.
As to the merits of this site over others named
for a new Court House, there seems to be
a strong difference of opinion; be that as
it may, vour committee do not feel like recoin-
mendi'nir the erection of a building on the site in
the present financial depression, that will involve
the city to so large an amount.
As previously stated, your committee are weH
aware of the necessity that exists for a new Court
House, and they would suggest another plan cost-
ing much less than that proposed. That is the
plan proposed in 1875 during the administration
of Mayor Cobb, namelv, the erection of a new
Court House on Charles* street next the county jail
for all the criminal business in connection with the
courts, (thereby saving a heavy cost in the trans-
portation of prisoners to and from the jail, and
the removal of much that is offensive from the
public gaze,) and the building of a new Court
House on the present site for the transaction of
the civil business.
By the erection of these two buildings it is be-
lived that provision will be made in the county
tor court purposes for fifty years to come.
At the time this plan was proposed the City
Architect had olans prepared covering the
erection of these two buildings, that tor
the civil business being provided with
elevators, and giving ample light and venti-
lation for all the rooms. In addition to providing
for the wants of the county, there will remain not
in use eighteen rooms, that could De used in con-
nection with City Hall by the building of a bridge.
This plan is on exhibition at the City Hall, in
the Aldermen's room, at the present time.
The cost of building these two court houses we
estimate at $500,000, being less by S900.000 than
that proposed for the reservoir lot.
Your committee consider that the public con-
venience requires a central location; fot that rea-
son they also favor the building of the present
Court House.
As a measure of economy their plan is favora-
ble.
Without going more into detail with regard to
their plan lor these buildings, they would simply
recommend its lavorable consideration by the
City Council, believing it to be both practicable
and economical. Ll CIOS Slade.
Thos. ,1. W HIDDEN.
Chas. R. McLean.
The report was accepted.
PAVING REPORTS AND ORDERS.
Alderman Whidden submitted the following
from the Committee on Paving :
Report that leave be granted Timothy Ahem to
move a wooden buildins from South street, Ward
23, to Keys street, opposite Call street. Accepted.
Report that Patrick Grace have leave to sprinkle
certain streets in Brighton, on the usual condi-
tions. Accepted.
Report of leave to withdraw on petition of Cook
& Handy to be allowed compensation from the
MARCH 11. 1878
113
city for sprinkling a portion of Dudley street in
1877. Accepted.
Ordered, That from the assessment laid upon
Norman Y. Brintnall for sidewalk furnished on
Miller street, there be abated the sum of $2.70 tor
an error in measurement. Read twice and
passed.
THE PROPOSED LOAN FOB IMPROVING THE PARKS.
Alderman McLean offered an order— That the
Committee on Legislative Matters be directed to
oppose, on behalf of the City Council, the bill
now before the Legislature, which authorizes the
city of Boston to create a debt for the proposed
public park.
The Chairman stated that the order would lie
over under the rule.
Alderman McLean— Perhaps the sense of the
Board can be taken on that at this time as well as
any other ; and as that measure is before the
Legislature, perhaps if it is not passed upon today
it may be of no use, and it may not be of any use
any way. I have offered this order from the fact
that 1 believe the proposed measure will be in
contravention of the law already existing. In 1875
the Legislature passed an act, section 12 of which
says—
"For the purpose of defraying the expenses in-
curred under the provisions of this act, the City
Council of Boston shall have authority to issue
from time to time, and to an amount not exceed-
ing the amount actually expended for the pur-
chase or taking of land for said parks, bonds or
certificates of debt," etc., etc.
That is to say, for the purpose of taking land,
and not improvement; and it was distinctly un-
derstood that the appropriations for the improve-
ment of this park should be put into the tax levy
year by year. Now, sir, it is evident from the
Auditor's monthly exhibit that there is nothing
wanted for the purchase of any lands for
parks, there now being some $214,448 unexpended
of the appropriation for taking lands for public
parks. There is no want of any money iD that di-
rection. This act was passed in 1875 and was sub-
mitted to the people. The people voted upon this
act favorably, perhaps we have a right to believe,
for the reason that these bonds were noc to be is-
sued to an unlimited extent; that is, they were to
be spent simply in the taking of land, and that
any expenditures for the purposes of improve-
ment were to be put into the tax levy y'car by
year. Now, sir, if this act passes, the City Council
will not be called upon to go to the people to get
their assent; but it will be left with the City
Council, perhaps, to be log-rolled, and pushed into
an expenditure that the times will not warrant.
While I am prepared at this time to say that I am
willing to put into the appropriation bill this year
any sum that will be reasonable for the im-
provement of parks, I am not prepared to con-
sent that large debts shall be created and
left for the payment of those who come after
us. I believe that they will have enough to do to
take care of themselves. I believe it will not be
honest to them or to our creditors for us to run in
debt beyond our capacity to pay, and that we
should pay as we go. I hope the Board of Alder-
men will remonstrate against the passage of this
act,which will allow bonds to be created in the in-
terest of those who have perhaps private inter-
ests of their own to serve. Without saying more,
I hope we shall live by the law we have, without
any new laws being passed in contravention of
that law. I ask for the suspension of the rule,
that it may be acted upon at this time.
Alderman Guild— I hope the Alderman wont
press that. He knows, sir, that we are not pre-
pared for it. Gentlemen in favor or opposed ex-
pected no such order to come up, and I don't
believe in rushing a thing of such importance
through without any chance to examine into
the matter. I am opposed to the Alderman, but I
have not the authorities at hand with which to
frame a reply. Before 1 discharge my artillery I
want the powder in hand. I might say something
about the importance of parks and might make a
pretty speech. Neither the Alderman nor myself
will enjoy the parks we build. It may be that my
grandchildren will enjoy them, and I am willing
my grandchildren should help pay for tbem. As
regards the legislators at the State House being-
very eager to grant the city of Boston an opportu-
nity to run in debt, and to go to an unlimited ex-
pense for parks, my experience has been very
much to the contrary. The legislators at the State
House, and especially those who come from dis-
tricts somewhat removed from Boston, are very
chary about giving Boston any privileges, even
though it be the privilege of running into debt.
They are more careful of our interests often than
of their own. I should most decidedly object to
having the question taken tonight, and I hope it
will lie over under the rule, in order that we may
look at it fairly and squarely, and that we may
study into both sides of the question.
Alderman McLean— It perhaps may seem to be
discourteous not to accede to the gentleman's re-
quest; but the gentleman may not know that this
matter has been through thi- House and is still in
the Senate. It seems to me that if this Board is
to do anything, we should act now while we h»ve
the power to do something. They can instruct
the committee to request the Senate, or such
branch of the Legislature as it is before, to with-
hold action upon this matter until we have an-
otner meeting; and if that is done, I am willing
that it should lie over. But if it is to go through
without any further action in that direction, of
course if we are to do anything it should be done
now.
Alderman Guild— The Alderman knew all about
this since he has been a member of the Board of
Aldermen, and why did n't he bring it in before?
He says it has gone through the House of Repre-
sentatives; why did n't he speak of it before it
went through? This may be an effort on the part
of those individuals who are determined that
there shall be no public parks for the people of
Boston. There is no disguising the fact; they op-
pose it at every step. I look at it in that direc-
tion; I may be wrong. I will be charitable
enough to say that the Alderman does not
want the city of Boston to overstep the limit
for contracting debt. And I am just as anx-
ious about that as he is. I have heard the opin-
ion expressed by members of the Board of Alder-
men that parks are a luxury, and that to vote any
money for them is to vote for luxuries. I do not
look upon parks as a luxury any more than I do a
supply of pure water. They are a necessity. If
the gentleman bad given this matter atten-
tion, with the same vigor that he has tonight, he
would have acted in time to oppose it in the House
of Representatives, where it would be as easy to
be defeated as it would be in the Senate. Certain
gentlemen, in their own individual capacity, who
are not prepared to debate it, may bring their
argumentative forces to bear upon this question,
but tonight 1 am not prepared to debate it.
Alderman Faunce— Generally I agree with the
Alderman in matters of this kind, but I am not
prepared to vote for the order in this case, be-
cause I do not understand it. I hope it will lie
over.
Alderman McLean — I do not want the chairman
of the Committee on Parks to put me in a posi-
tion that I don't desire to be put in. He will re-
member that I stated that I was prepared to vote
for a reasonable expenditure for the improvement
of the public parks if it was put into the tax levy.
If the Committee on Common and Squares
will bring in such an amount as we can afford to
pay for the improvement of parks he will have
my support. But so far as providing for parks by
a loan that those who come after us will have to
pay for, I will say that I am opposed to it. He
says he wants those who come after him to pay
tor them; I'think they will have enough to pay
for. I think we ought to be honest with those
who come after us, and certainly if the public,
debt is to be increased as fast as it has been, we
will be more able to pay it than they will be in the
future. Now, I don't wish to be misrepresented.
So long as we have these public grounds I am in
favor of having them improved so long as we can
pay the bills; but I am not in favor of creating a
debt to be paid by those who come after us.
Alderman Guild— I will remind the Alderman
that almost every public improvement has been
paid for by those' who came after those who made
it. I remember that this building was considered
a monument of folly, and that by those who came
after, those who voted for it would be covered
with opprobrium. We are here to work for the
prospective Boston, so to speak. The prospective
Bostou will thank us for what we do. If we lay
out only what we need, those who come after us
will have a much heavier debt, to pay. They will
say we are governed by a narrow-minded policy.
I heard a man say thirty years ago that there
was no need of borrowing money to widen
streets because Boston had got its growth and
was large enough tor auy gentleman to live in. I
don't belive it. I believe that those who come
after us. thirty years from now. will pay the debts
113
HOARD OF AL DERMEiN
created for public improvements as cheerfully as
we pay the coupons on the bonds issued to bor-
row money thirteen years ago to save this coun-
try. And 1 believe that those who come after us
will cheerfully pay the debts due in 1881, for they
will have a tree country to live in. I believe that
if we borrow money for parks, and for other pub-
lic improvements, those who come after us will
cheerfully pay for them, and thank us that they
have them to pay for.
Alderman Slade— 1 must agree with the Alder-
man from East Boston in his ideas. I came very
near voting against the whole park scheme when
it came before us. But, so far as wc went. I felt
very well satisfied. But I believe that, at that
time, the general impression of the Aldermen
was that the work of improvement should
be paid for as last as it was done. ] think
mysell that the people can be taxed lor as much
money as they want to lay out there every year. 1
don't imagine that it is going to be built in one
or two or three years. But it seems to me we
should appropriate — I don't care— say a hundred
thousand dollars, more or less, to be ex-
pended on that park lor this year; and 1
think it would be 8 great deal better than to
appropriate a hundred thousand dollars for the
Commissioners on Streets to spend, as has been
proposed. I see that there is such a proposition
before us. 1 think we ought to pay tor it as we
go. We have bought the land and run in dent for
it: let us see how much we ought to spend this
year, and spend it, and raise that by taxation. I
am sorry a e cannot put the order over one week.
1 don't know why it would n't be just as well.
However. I shall vote for the order offered by the
Alderman from East Boston.
Alderman McLean— II the Board will instruct
the Committee on Legislative Matters to request
that the matter lie over for a week, 1 think that
will accomplish the purposes tliat the gentleman
desires. I desire to bave nothing passed by this
Board without, due consideration; but I think an
expression might be had upon that order now,
just as well as at any other time. The gentleman
accuses me ot having had plenty of time.
I can only say that this is a matter that
has come up within a few minutes, since
the session of the Board began, and I was
as unprepared to meet it as the Alderman was.
But 1 will answer the gentleman in part, by say-
ing that I think we have taken care ol prospective
Boston; but as for the purchase of lands for
parks at this time, and creating a debt, I think
we should pay lor them as we go. 1 think we
have already provided tor future Boston; but I
think we ought not to run in debt more than we
have for that purpose. That is what I oppose,
and 1 do not oppose such an expenditure tor the
improvement ol the parks we have if we put the
amount to be spent in the tax levy. 1 am willing
to vote for a certain amount to improve these
parks, but 1 want the people to look at this mat-
ter every year, and if they are ready to make this
appropiiation, they can do so. But I am not pre-
pared to assent to a proposition that the people
would not have given their assent to it it
had beeu understood that the nark was to be
improved by the bonds issued for park pur-
poses. The people gave their assent to the park
act because it was understood that* it would be
improved in the future at such time as we would
.be able to do it from year to year. But almost im-
mediately on the acquirement ot those lands we
are asked to create a debt to improve it, and 1 do
not think we are ready to vote lor it. I can only
show what has been my experience in this direc-
tion. By our experience in this direction we nave
driven rroin the city .nauy whom we should not
like to have driven away. Now, I think that the
citizens of Boston are taxed heavy enough with-
out having the same taxes distributed over a
smaller number ot people, and in my judgment
this matter will tend to drive away from this city
those people who should remain here with us. I
want this Board to keep down the city debt as
much as possible, and 1 don't want to give my
vote tor any improvement that can be deferred.
But in this thing we are driving ahead faster than
we can afford. •
Alderman Cuild— I don't know that I have asy
particular objection to requesting delay at the
state House; but, as I say, this comes up at a
time when we are not prepared to reply to it. A
portion of my reply has been to the Alderman's
argument about creating debt. If he will make an
amendment, so that the Senate will be requested
to delay action, I don't know that 1 will oppose it.
Aldeiman McLean— I have uo objection to hav-
ing the sense of the Board on the question. I can
offer an order subsequently requesting the Com-
mittee on Legislative Matters to endeavor to
obtain a postponement ot it.
Alderman Harris— Being a member of the Com-
mittee on Legislative Matters, perhaps it would
be proper to state that the bill now before the
Legislature was introduced in accordance with
the prayer of the last City Government, and we
have had no instructions pro or con in regard to
the matter. It lias simply taken its natural
course upon the petition from the City Council of
1877. They asked for this authority, and there-
fore we, having received no instructions from
either board, have suffered it to take the usual
COIl' •
Alderman McLean— i would like to ask the gen-
tleman who has just sat down if he is fully ad-
vised ihat this was done by the action ot the last
City Council? [am informed that it was not.
The Chairman— The Chair would state for the
information of the Board that it was authorized
by an order ol the last City Council.
Alderman Wliiilden— 1 nope the order will not
be withdrawn, and that the sense ol the Board
will Pe given in regard to running the city still
further into debt. Now, it we take the statement
ot the Alderman on my right in regard to laving
out parks and paying lor them by borrowing
money, we must come to the conclusion that a
public debt is a public blessing, as all the great
improvements, he would lead us to infer, have
been brought about by debt. 1 would cite to him
the industrious Franklin, whose motto was,
Pay as you go and keep out ot debt. I
don't believe in running in debt for anything,
ft is well known that 1 have been an opponent of
paiksas they have been presented to the City
Government— not to parks in i ae, because I be-
lieve in them; nut to parks that you have to run
in debt for. 1 do not believe in having luxuries
that you have to run in debt for. 1 don't believe
in running in debt for anything unless ir is act-
ually necessary to do so. and I don't believe it is
actually necessary to do so tor this. So far as
parks have been purchased and laid out, I have
no objection to carrying them out and fulfilling
anything appertaining to them; but I believe in
paying for them as you go. I would much rather
leave an inheritance to my children thai is nor
Covered by a mortgage tor them to take off.
The Chairman read the order, passed Oct. 16,
1S77, authorizing the Mayor to petition the Legis-
lature tor the act referred to in the order under
consideration.
Alderman Yiles— I believe with the Alderman
last up that we should pay as we go. The city lias
purchased land for a park and mortgaged "it. 1
do not believe in placing a second mortgage upon
it. Ir they must have a hundred thousand dol-
lars in the tax levy to improve it, 1 will vote lor it;
nut I do not want to go in debt any further for it.
Alderman Guild— I iio not want to be placed in
,i False position in regard to this matter. My sim-
ple object in opposing this order was because I
did not exactly understand the condition of
affairs at the State House. It is possible thai i
might be willing to agree with the Alderman; but
it looks to me a little like forcing the matter by
moving that it take a second reading. I thought
we ought to have a careful examination of the
matter, and not rush to the Legislature to oppose
anything without giving sufficient reasons for
it. I will vote for an amendment to the order
asking tor delay for one week. I have no
desire to saddle the city of Boston with
any debt that is difficult to pay. 1 do
not wish to be placed in a false position.
The argument about posterity being saddled with
a debt required some answer. I said I was not
prepared to discuss the main point, and I am not
now. I think the city of Boston needs parks. I
not only say so myself, but 1 have been compelled
from my position in this Board of Aldermen, and
the other branch of the City Government, from
the position I have occupied on committees, to be
the mouthpiece of the committees. In the Com-
mon Council, as chairman of the Committee on
Common, and here, as chairman of the Committee
on Parks, it has been my duty to present petitions
brought to me, and express the wishes and desires
of those who signed the petitions. That is all, sir,
and it has not been with any desire to fasten a
heavy debt upon the city, or depart from those
principles which Franklin laid down, however
much we may have changed since Franklin's time.
The order was passed to a second reading by a
MARCH 11
1878.
114
rising vote— 7 for, 3 against. The order was
passed. Sent clown.
THE ELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
GROUNDS.
Alderman Harris moved to take from the table
the election of Superintendent of Common and
Public Grounds.
Alderman Guild — I hope that will not be pressed
tonight. It is well known that an ordinance is
before the other branch, which will be thoroughly
discussed, and if passed it will transfer the man-
agement of the Common and public grounds to
the Park Commissioners. That ordinance will
probably be discussed fully, and be settled one
way or the other. I really wish to give all those
who have an opinion on the subject full oppor-
tunity for discussion, and, as I said before, I
think it will be settled next Thursday night. We
do not need a Superintendent until the 1st of
April, and there is sufficient time to elect him
between now and that time. I hope the matter
will not be taken from the table.
Alderman Harris — Entertaining nothing but the
kindest feelings towards the Committee on Com-
mon and Squares, I am, nevertheless, satisfied
that the course they are pursuing is prejudicial to
the interests of the city. They seem desirous to
be relieved from their duties, or in other words,
it is a confession that a committee consisting of
eight stalwart men find themselves unable to pro-
vide for the care of a few flower beds, the mowing
of the grass and the grading of the walks in our
public squares. In tact, they would surrender the
trusts that the people at the last election deemed
them capable of fulfilling. They, therefore, are
endeavoring by ordinance to have their work per-
formed by three gentlemen who now serve the
city gratuitously as Park Commissioners, and
who, I am informed, have offered to do
the service which our committee are un-
willing to do. Mr. Chairman, why this
weakness ana indifference? Is our committee as
feeble as they would have us infer? Cannot they
grapple with the difficulties? Are they so great,
so momentous? The thought is humiliating. I
am aware, Mr. Chairman, that last year a similar
committee were charged with many irregularities
ana shortcomings, but 1 did hope that 1878 would
bring gentlemen here who would be willing to
give their time and talents to the service of the
city. Am I to be disappointed? Would it not be
well, as the people have decided for the dollar
of their fathers, for us to take upon ourselves
the labors of our fathers? Do not fear work.
Have commissions become so very popular? If
so, it would seem as though I ought to retire to
private life, and not remain here, and thereby
misrepresent the wishes of the people when I seek
to urge upon you Aldermen to transact the work
assigned you willingly and faithfully, and not
shirk from your responsibilities by placing it upon
others. This subject was deba'ted here a few
evenings since, and I could not but think at the
time that the chairman of the committee who
pleaded on their behalf so eloquently relative to
their severe tasks had in mind probably the lines
of Scott, which I will modify to suit my point.
Describing a battle, the commander is made to
say—
"On to victory; charge. Aldermen, ''harge:
On, commissions, on!"
Were the last words of the Committee on the Common
I hope, Mr. Chairman, that a ballot will be taken
for a Superintendent of Common and Squares.
Alderman Guild— After the very eloquent, ably-
prepaied and poetic address, a man of my limited
parts and experience cannot be expected, without
any preparation, to respond promptly and effec-
tively. I have a little of Scott at my command,
but have some consideration for the poet, and will
not mangle him orquote it, to the gentleman's ad-
vantage ; but I must take up some of the points of
his carefully-prepared speech relating to the stal-
wart men who are appointed to carry on the man-
agement of the Common and squares, and answer
them. The reasons have been given over
and over again, that it is not because
eight or ten or six stalwart men are uuwilling
to perform the duties, but because the system
under which those duties are performed is such
that it is open to and capable of abuses. Now,
sir, a gentleman rises in his place and tells us
what the citizens of Boston elected us here to do.
If I understand my position, the citizens of Boston
elected us here to perform the duties of Alder-
men of the city of Boston to the best of our abili-
ty, and to run the affairs of the city of Boston
just the same as we would run our own private
business, with the least possible interference of
outside influences. Why, sir, the gentleman op-
posite, and every individual member of this Board
and the gentleman who holds the highest place in
the City Government, owes his position to what?
He owes it to a combination of the best men of all
parties who were determined that the city of Bos-
ton should be removed as far as possible from all
partisan influences, and all partisan meddlesome-
ness whatsoever. Now I wisb to give some rea-
sons for my warm advocacy of the measure refer-
red to, and I desire to put on record in the most de-
cided manner possiblethe principles which prompt
my vote, and emphasize my utterance, and that
is this: The most prominent complaints that were
made by all political parties, and by the people,
the loudest complaints that are made — and the
platform prepared upon which every Alderman
at this Board owes his election to— have been
that the abuses of the Police Department and the
Department of Common and Squares were such
that they, more than any other department in the
city of Boston, required the attention of men utter-
ly unbiased. Those were understood as the
most prominent planks in the platform, if any
had been presented. They were commented
upon by individuals, the counting houses and
market places and discussed by the press.
They were made the subject of the most
exciting municipal election that Boston has
ever seen. It was a strong struggle, but it
was the expressed ouinion of the people that
those were two abuses which should be rem-
edied. Well, sir, the result of the municipal elec-
tion is too recent to require any further explana-
tion. The Mayor ot Boston, true to what he con-
sidered the instructions, not of any party which
placed him in power, but of the best men in all
parties — the people of Boston— in his inaugural
address made two recommendations. The two
principal recommendations in his inaugural ad-
dress were respecting the management of the po-
lice and the Common and the squares. The man-
agement of the Common and squares hac-l, from
time to time, grown to be so much abused, from
year to year — and let me say that I served on that
committee for two years and I speak by the card,
and was unable to prevent those abuses, hard as I
have tried to. They commenced far back, certain-
ly as far back as when Mr. Gaston was Mayor, and
arrived at such a point that last year "a com-
mittee of investigation was appointed. That com-
mittee, composed of gentlemen ot different shades
of party opinion, after a careful investigation and
examination, reported unanimously in favor of
removing this department from the influence of
the present system, and placing it under the man-
agement of the Park Commission. The Com-
mittee on Common and Squares are as ready
to undertake any work which shall be placed
upon them as the gentleman is ready to open
a new street in Charlestown. But the present sys-
tem has been open to abuses. When the measure
first came up, the cry of commissions was raised
against it. It creates no new commission. There
is a commission who, so to speak, have no axes to
grind, and who would be happy to take this de-
partment without any charge, and I am con-
vinced that they wouid carry it through more
economically for the city of Boston thau it can
be under the present system. It may be — I will
make no promises; for I have always believed in
my experience that good performances are better
than promises; but it may be that the present
Committee on Common ana Squares will conduct
this department more economically and per-
haps better than it has ever been before. But
they did not do it last year; they did not do it the
year before, nor the year before that. They found
it impossible to correct the abuses. I have a man
in view who was here this very day. He said he
was placed, by request of a member of the City
Council, at work upon the Common and squares,
and was discharged after three days' work five or
six times. He bad no chance to do even a week's
consecutive work. I will not occupy time by go-
ing into the abuses; they are patent to everybody
who reads the newsoapers, and is at all familiar
with the subject. It i- not the desire of the Com-
mittee on Common to shirk any of its duties. It
is their desire to have the management
of the pleasure grounds under one head;
and we desire to have the work done
in the most economical maimer. I have
been trying to overhaul my Shakspeare or Walter
Scott, but I will not inflict it upon the gentlemen
here tonight. They all have admirably stocked
115
BOARD OF ALDEKMKN.
libraries no doubt; but 1 must say that the ele-
gant alteration which the Alderman has made
has not exactly expressed the ideas of the Com-
mittee on Common and Squares. It would be well
for him to be more cautious.
"Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast."
Alderman Slade— Ordinarily this matter should
have come up last week. I thought very likely
that we should act. after the other branch had
elected a Superintendent, but the chairman ol the
Committee on Common and Squares suggested
to me that it should lie over for another week,
and I did n't hesitate a moment, if there was to
be any good come from it. But, M i Chairman, I
did n't know that there was a cat in the meal
anvwhere else. 1 did n't know that that chestnut
was to be pulled out of the tire and come back in
the shape it is tonight. 1 never thought
or such a thing. This matter has been pretty
fully and clearly talked over in this Hoard. I am
not going to make a speech upon commissions, or
anything of that kind. As one of the Committee
on Common i I am ready and willing to look this
thing in the lace, and see that the public grounds
are taken care of. If the system is wrong, let us
make it right. Anything that the chairman will
suggest, I will guarantee to put ray back up to it
straight, and make this wrong right. There pos-
sibly may have been some things done last year
that are wrong, and the year before. Whether
this great wrong that has been suggested here
consists in junketing, as was frequently paraded
before the public last year, I don't know.
If that has anything to do with it, I think there is
no committee but will stand on an equal footing
with it, so far as that goes. Now, sir, so far as
money having been foolishly spent, I don't know.
I don't know that there was n't men put on to
work that were not good day laborers. Perhaps
they did not earn the money that was paid them.
I don't know whether they did or not. but if
there is anything wroug I think we can set it
right. I think we ought to try, at all events. As
the Alderman said, 1 think we were sent here to
do this work and not delegate it to anybody else.
I feel ashamed to ask the Park Commissioners to
do this work. I certainly would n't, unless I had
agreed to it when I was elected to this Board. 1
think this has been bandied about long enough,
and I hope we shall go into an election.
The motion to take from the table was lost.
I'lroilT FOB WOODED BUILDING.
Alderman McLean, from the Joint Committee
on Survey and Inspection of Buildings, submitted
a report and order authorizing a permit to he
granted to Russell & Co. to erect a shed for stor-
age purposes on Maiden street, xccording to an
application on tile. Order read twice and passed.
Sent down.
Adjourned, on motion of Alderman McLean.
116
COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF BOS TON.
Proceedings of the Common Council,
MARCH 14, 18*;
Regular meeting at 7K> o'clock P. M., Benjamin
Pope, President, in the chair.
PAPKBS IliOM THE BOARD OF ALDEKMKN.
Reports of city officers were placed on file.
Petitions were" referred in concurrence.
Refereuce to Committee on Public Institutions
of a request of the directors for a transfer ot
I from appropriation for pauper expense-, to
be use el for construction ol a building for a cbain-
calde tactorv. Concurred.
Report of leave to withdraw on petition of C. F.
Shimmin tt al.,Xo be refunded half of certain
taxes paid as trustees of will of Peter Parker.
Accepted, in concurrence.
Report ami order to issue a permit to Ira Rus-
sell & Co., to erect a shed for storage of lumber
on Maiden street. Order read twice and passed,
In concurrence.
Order to report on expediency ot selling a por-
tion of eueine-bouse lot on Sole; street, Charles-
town District. Passed, in concurrence.
Report on subject ot delay in tilling Back Bay
Park. Accepted, in concurrence.
M> ABSXBTAXl ABBE880B8.
A certificate came down of the election of
James L. Quiglev ot Ward 6, and Samuel B. Krog-
mau of Ward 7, in place of Michael D. Collins and
Edward J. Riley, who were chosen by this Coun-
cil.
Mr. Kidnev of Ward C sent to the Chair and
the President read a letter from James L. (inigley
withdrawing his Dame as a candidate for Second
Assistant Assessor from Ward 6.
An electiou was ordered. Committee— Me-
Pierce of Ward 24, Drynan of Ward 6, and Cox of
Ward 15.
The committee reported as follows:
Whole number of votes 66
Necessary for a choice 34
Wardft— James Quigley 3
Michael D. Collins 82
Ward 7— Edward J. Kilev 32
i el B. Kroaman 2!)
Mr. McGaragle ot Ward 8— I don't understand
that. There must be some mistake, or there were
some scatterii
Mr. Pierce ot Ward 24— There were several bal-
lots on which only one Assessor was voted tor.
In one or two cases do one was voted tor m Ward
<;, and in two or three cases I think none were
voted for in Ward 7.
There being no choice in Ward 7, a second bal-
lot was ordered.
Mr.Coeol Ward 23 asked if there were 66 bal-
lots thrown for assessor In Ward 17.
The Presideut— The committee have so report-
ed
Mr. Pierce— I don't think we counted the ballots
independently. We counted them as sixr
ballots, and l" think we may have made an error
in that respect.
On motion of Mr. Toe, the report was recom-
mitted to the committee aud they retired, and af-
terward reported as follows:
Maid 6.
Whole number of ballots Co
Necessary to a choice 33
Michael D.Collins 66
James L. Quigley 3
Ward 7.
Whole number of ballots 6G
Necessary for a choice 34
Edward -l . Riley 3'.
Samuel B. Krogman , 29
And Messrs. Riley and Collins were declared
elected in non-concurrence. Sent up.
LOANS FOR PARK PLBPO-
An order came down for the Committee on
Legislative Matters to oppose the bill to authorize
the city to create a loan for the purpose ot filling
the Public Park.
Mr. Thompson of Ward 9—1 think this order
was passed in the Board of Aldermen under a
mistake. There was an order passed last year,
which was offered in the Common Council Oct.
18, directing the .Mayor to petition tor the passage
of this very act, and" 1 will read from the remarks
made last year, giving the reason why this order
was offered:
"The reason this order was offered is that the
park act provided that a loan might be issued for
such time as the City Council provided. The next
week the municipal-indebtedness act was passed,
aud it has been so construed that the City Council
is confined to borrowing money for ten years. The
Joint Special Committee on Parks had a meeting
and deemed it expedient that the .Mayor should
be asked to petition the Legislature to restore the
power given in the park act to borrow money on a
long loan."
The difference is this: In borrowing money for
ten years the act called the act to limit municipal
indebtedness makes it imperative that eight per
cent, of the principal shall be raised by taxation
every year tor the purpose of a sinking tund;
whereas, in the case of the thirty-year loan,
it is oiily necessary to raise, on the basis of the
Sinking Food Commissioners' present calcu-
lation 1 70-100 per cent., making a material
difference in the tax bills. It has always
been the policy of the city m carrying out large
and permanent improvements, w"nere the first
cost has been very great, and where the im-
provement was of such a nature that future gen-
erations received as great a benefit from it as the
present generation, to borrow money on a long
loan. That principal was recognized in the
municipal-indebtedness act allowing twenty j
tune tor loans lor sewers anil thirty tor water pur-
poses, aud the City Council deemed it i
last \ear:n purchasing land for park purpose-,
that it should be paid for by thirty-year bond!
that the people who come after us should help pay
for it. 1 hope the Council will not concur in the
passage of this orcier, but reluse to give it ■
ond reading. I am sure that the geutlemen who
read the proceedings of the Board ot Aldermen
will see that the chairman of the Committee on
Public Parks was taken unawares and could not
explain it; and it the Hoard had understood it I
am sure they would not havs passed it.
The ordei'was declared passed to a second read-
ing.
Mr. Thompson doubted the vote, and on his
motion the yeas and nays were ordered. The or-
der was refused a second reading— yeas 19,
nays 4o:
Yeas — Messrs. Barnard, Clapp, Day, Flynn,
Kelley, Mc(iaragle, Pearl, Pierce, J. B. Richard-
Roberts, E. H. Sampson, H. N. Sawyer,
Shepard, Thorndike, Toppan, Ward, Webster,
Wilson, W>nian— 19.
Nays— .Messrs. Harry, Brawley, Brown, B. Krint-
nall, N. Y. Hrintnall, Hurke. Cannon. Coe. Colby,
( ox, Crocker, Danfortta, Devlin, Drynan, Fernald,
Ham, Hibbard, Hill, Kendricken, Kidney, I.auten,
Lovering, McDonald, McGahey, McGeongb, Mo«-
i\. Mullen, Nason, O'Connor, Perham. Plimpton,
li, Rosno-kv, Rust, O. H. Sampson, Sanm,
wyt-r, Bmitb.Spenceley, J. F. Taylor, J. Tay-
lor, Thompson, Wbicher, Wolcott, Woolley— 46
Absent or not voting— Messrs. Deunv. Dohertv,
Hollis, Howland, Mullane, M. W. Richardson,
Sibley — 7.
[The subject was considered later in the even-
ing]
COMMON AND PUBLIC GEO0KD8.
On motion of Mr. Sawyer of Ward '-'4, the Conn.
cil took up the special assignment for eight
o'clock P. M., viz., the ordinance to place the care
and management of the Common and public
grounds in the hands of the Park Commissioners.
The question was upon giving the ordinance a
second reading.
Mr. Wolcott ot Ward 11— I desire to say but a
few words upon this matter, and promise to make
my remarks as briet as possible. There are a
great many questions which come before this
Council— especially those inrolving large appro-
priations ol money— upon which I have found it
extremely difficult to make up my mind which way
to vote. Ou many of these questions the pros
and coos have appeared to me to be so easily bal-
anced that 1 have acquiesced in any decision
which this chamber has reached, even ir it had
been adverse to my own previous impression, but
I confess that I was both surprised and disap-
pointed at the announcement of the result of the
vote two weeks ago on a somewhat similar sub-
ject to this. I was surprised, because I lelt strong
in the opinion that the matter ought to pass. In
thinking the matter over afterwards, it seemed to
me that the discussion of the matter had gone off
upon a question, or upon two questions, which
were not strictly upon the point at issue. A large
MARCH 14
1878
117
part of the discussion was limited to the advisabil-
ity of commissions. Now, it does seem
to me that that was not exactly the
point .vhich we ought to have Dome in
mind and discussed. The point, it seemed
to me was simply this: Having a commission al-
ready in existence, in whose hands the remainder
of our public grounds will be placed, whether the
cause of economy will not be better subserved by
placing all of our public grounds in the same
hands. It was stated the other evening that the
old system — the system which now exists— had
served the city's purpose very well for a large
number of years, and we should not now attempt
to overthrow it. Now, it seems to me, that that is
exactly a false or mistaken putting of the ques-
tion. It is exactly because the old system has
failed that we desire to change it. To say that
this old system has failed it is not necessary,
in my opinion, to bring forward any distinct
charge of wilful malfeasance or gross negli-
gence against the past Superintendent or com-
mittees; nor does the fact that no such facts
are to be found in the report of the committee
prove, on the other hand, that the department was
managed with economy and efficiency. It ap-
pears to me almost self-evident that the opera-
tions of such a department as the . Common and
Squares and Parks can be carried on more effi-
ciently and economically, and on a better
organized system, it placed in the hands
of a permanent committee — because there
is no magic in the word commission; but
a permanent committee composed of men espe-
cially fitted by their knowledge and skill in lay-
ing out and maintaining public grounds — than in
the hands of a constantly-shifting committee,
composed of men not specially chosen tor their
knowledge of such subjects, who have not the
power, from year to year, to make any organized
plan for future operations, and whose power ceases
absolutely at the end of the year. It will
be borne in mind that almost all the operations of
the department will be the same for the new park
which is to be created and for our at present ex-
isting grounds. The purchase of gravel, loam,
sods, trees, and the maintenance of walks, are
simply one operation, and I think that experience
will teach any one that transactions ot that sort are
always better managed on a uniform system with
some permanence to it, than in one which ceases
at the end of each year. Gentlemen will bear in
mind that on the committee as constituted the
present year there is just one member who was on
it last year, and on the committee of last year
there was exactly one member who was on the
committee of the year before that. Now, howev-
er good the intentions of such a committee— I for
one do not question them; I should shrink
very much from being placed upon that com-
mittee myself, although having lived in the coun-
try almost all my life, I profess to have some
knowledge of trees and the maintenance of
grounds; but, however good the intentions of
such a committee, it seems to me impossible that
the cause of real economy can possibly be carried
out under such a system. I wish to guard careful-
ly against bringing forward any charges of exces-
sive negligence against the committee or the Su-
perintendent. Whateverjmy own opinion may be
upon that point, it does not seem to be the issue
now. The simple question seems to lie, We have
one commission now in existence, and ought not
all the grounds of the city to be placed in their
hands ? Now, the committee, as a committee, and
without any minority report, have recognized the
difficulties under which they labor, and have vol-
untarily recommended that they should be re-
lieved from them.
Mr. McGara.gle of Ward 8—1 rise to a point of
order. What committee have recommended the
ordinance the gentleman is debating? I simply
want the information.
The President— That is not a point of order.
Mr. McGaragle— I want the information.
Mr. Wolcott — I am not debating any report. The
point I am debating is that the care of the Com-
mon and squares should be placed in the hands of
a commission, and I understand that the Commit-
tee on Common and Squares have recommended
that that change should be made. Not
only have that committee made the recom-
mendation, but a committee appointed last
year to investigate this matter stated that
the change would have to be made. The Superin-
tendent, in whom, by the votes of this chamber,
we have expressed our confidence in as a proper
man to undertake the duties of Superintendent of
Public Grounds this year, has also requested, as I
understand it, that that change should be made.
Now, the question has been raised here, if this
department is to be changed, why not every de-
partment involving a large expenditure of money.
I do not think it is the province of this City Coun-
cil to anticipate difficulties before they arise. If
in any other department a change becomes neces-
sary, if there is any other department, of
which the opinion cf our citizens, as expressed
year after year, is that it is loosely and badly man-
aged, I do most certainly hope that some
change will be made. The other departments,
whi-3b have been mentioned— sewers, streets, etc.
—I consider to be at present well-managed, and,
until there is a change called for by the City Coun-
cil, 1 tor one would not be in favor of the change.
We have already taken some action upon the
state of affairs revealed by the Committee
of Investigation last year. We have changed
the Superintendent, and, voting as I did
I thought to be a wise thing: but I do
not think that is a complete measure. To be
effectual, I think the change must go further.
That is a good half-way measure, but I do not
think it will place the department in the condi-
tion of good, thorough organization and intelli-
gent management which I believe the change
contemplated by the proposed ordinance will
make.
Mr. McGeough of Ward 13—1 should like to in-
quire here, before any further debate upon the
matter, as to whether or not the City Council has
authority to pass this ordinance and make it
effectual. I don't know how other members of
the Council may look at it, but to me, sir, it ap-
pears we are exceeding our authority in attempt-
ing to transfer the care of the Common and pub-
lic grounds to any parties outside of the City
Council. If this be true, I think it would be well to
ascertain that before proceeding any farther in
this matter. I don't know what the opinion
of the City Solicitor may be in this matter, and I
should like to have an opportunity to know what
his opinion would be before coming to a vote. I
understand there is a tendency to press the mat-
ter to a vote tonight, and if that be the case, be-
lieving, as I do, that the City Council has no au-
thority to pass this ordinance, and make it effect-
ual, I shall be obliged to oppose it upon that
ground, because I think it rather humiliating to
be told by the Supreme Court that we
are attempting to do something we cannot
do, and would not be allowed to do, as
in the case of the East Boston ferries last year. I
think it will appear upon the reading of the stat-
ute, if I read it correctly, and give it the proper
construction, that the Park Commission has not
the power to take the care and management and
custody of the Common and public grounds, even
if we are to pass this ordinance. They are a body,
if I understand it, who receive their exist-
ence and authority to act from an act of
the Legislature. It is simply the appointing
power which is in the City Council. They
are appointed, but their power comes from the
Legislature, and is embodied in the act which
gives them their existence. In reading the act 1
think it will appear that they have not the power
to exercise the authority and privileges that we
are attempting to give them.
Mr. Danforth of Ward 10— If the gentleman will
excuse me, if he will allow me the floor— the
committee, before taking any steps in this matter,
asked the City Solicitor for tiis opinion. He came
before the committee and gave liis opinion.
Mr. McGarrgle of Ward 8—1 rise to a point of
order. I do not know as we are discussing the re-
port of any committee.
Mr. Danforth— If the gentleman will allow me I
will give him some information.
Mr. McGaragle— 1 would like the ruling of the
Chair. Are we acting upon the report ot any
committee?
The President— I do not understand that this is
a report of the committee.
Mr. Danforth— The City Solicitor gave his opin-
ion that the City Council could put this matter
in charge of the Park Commissioners, and
could give them any authority that they
wish. When the ordinance was drawn, it
was taken to Mr. Healy, |who said we
had authority to do that, and that the ordinance
would carry the care of the Common and squares
to the Park Commissioners. It was the opinion
of the City Solicitor that the Council had power
to do it.
[The President called the attention of members
118
COMMON COUNCIL,,
to rule 31, wherein any member is forbidden to
interrupt another, except to rise to a point ot
order.
Mr. MoGeough— If that be the opinion of the
City Solicitor, I should desire very much to have
it {jiven. As it is now, I shall oppose the
parage of this order tonight, on the ground
that 1 believe we have not power to give them the
authority we desire to give them. I think that on
reading the passage of page 587 of the ordinance
it will be seen that
"Said board shall have the power to locate
within the limits ol the city of Boston one or more
public parks, and for that purpose, Irom time to
time to take in fee, by purchase or otherwise, any
and all such lands as "said board may deem desiia
ble therefor."
Now, in those tew lines are embodied all the
powers that tbey have in regard to the charge ot
any public ground. Of course, the following uart
of the same section merely beirg for the urpose
of taking care of the parks that they have located,
that was evidently intended by the Legislature
it they should " have the care and cus-
tody and management of those tew parks and
for which alone this commission was constituted.
Now, if we pass this ordinance here tonight, and
it is passed by both branches, and they have not
the power to act under that ordinance, it simply
becomes a dead letter upon our nooks and records.
Now, that is not the only Objection ; l>ut, it occurs
to me that there is a more serious one still, Irom
the tact that I think the City Council has not the
privilege of delegating ebb authority to any out-
side parties. In the city charter, which is the
constitution of the city of Boston, and against
which we can make no ordinance that will pre-
vail, I think it will be seen, in section 39,
that the care and custody and management of
the Common anil public grounds and the city
property is nlaced in the City Council. The City
Council may provide tor the payment of superin-
tendents ol public buildings and for the care and
custody i>nd management ot the property of the
city, and shall have the right to sell the same, ex-
cept Faneuil Hall and the Common. Now, under
that, and in accordance with that, the City Coun-
cil has always taken charge of the management
and custody of the public grounds It may be
said, if the City Council can appoint a committee
to take care of the Common and public grounds,
why is it not able to appoiut the Park Com-
missi .ners? But it will be evident in this that it
cannot be a lair construction, because in appoint-
ing a committee ot eight from the City Council, it
is still the City Council that is having the care
and management ot the public grounds uudertbis
section of the city charter. If it is made incum-
bent upou the City Council to take care of the
public grounds, I do not understand that we have
legislative authority to exceed that authority,
unless we get the privilege from the Legislature
which gave us the charter under which we act.
So it appears to me, in either case, whether we
pass this ordinance tonight, if the Park Commis-
sioners have not the power and privilege
to act under it, it is ineffectual. If. on
the other hand, the city ot Boston is obliged
under the city charter to take care of the pub-
lic grounds, tbey cannot delegate that power.
We have no legislative power outside of the city
charter and uo ordinance or order we see tit to
pass here contrary to the provisions of the city
charter will be set aside. In either case it wdl be
ineffectual. On that ground, without going into
the matter fully, I shall be compelled to oppose it
tonight; 1 should desire to have the opinion of the
City Solicitor upon this question, and in order
that we may have time to do so, I would move
that this matter be laid upon the table.
Mr. Thompson ot Ward 9— The legal questions
involved in the subject under debate have beeu
very carefully considered by theCiiy Solicitor, and
he has given his opinion in writing, which some
member of the Committee on Com in on and Squares
has in bis possession, and will no doubt read. But
I for one will not Oi>pn«e granting any delay in this
matter, if any gentlemau wishes to look into
it. II the gentleman Irom South Boston wishes
delav I should be willing to give it to him. But I
think the difficulty in his mind is this: he looks
upon the duties to be exercised by the Park Com-
missioners under this ordinance as duties to be
exercised by them as Park Commissioners. I would
like to call his attention to the reading of tte
ordinance, which is short, and I think he will see
the point I wi-b to make. I mean the ordinance
before the Council. [At the request ot Mr. Thomp-
son the President read the ordinance uutler dis-
cussion.]
Mr. Richardson of Ward 10— I rise to ask the
gentleman from Ward 9 a single question. I
should like to ask the gentleman from Ward 9 if
hesupposes the City Council would have a right
to abolish the mayoralty, and transfer the powers
and duties of the Mayor to a third person, and if
not, why not?
Mr. Thompson — I think the answer to that is
that the office of Mayor was created by statute.
The Superintendent of Common and Squares is a
creature of our own ordinance. We may at any time
amend our own ordinances. The geutleman from
Ward 10 shakes his head; will be state it I an-
swer his point sauarely ?
Mr. Kichardson of Ward 10— I be gentleman at-
tempts to answer my point by making the asser-
tion which I think if he reflected a little upon it
he »ill see is not correct. He says the mayor-
alty is a creature of statutes, aud that the Com-
mittee on Common is a creature of ordinance.
Are they not created by the same statute?
Mr. Thompson ol Ward 9—1 said the Superin-
tendent of Common was a creature of our own or-
dinance.
Air. Richardson — The ordinance now proposes
to transfer a part of the duties of the City Coun-
cil to a third party by conferring upon it tbe
rights of the City Couucil, and 1 ask him what is
the difference between transferring the duties of
the Mayor aud transferring our owu duties which
are given to us under the same charter aud stat-
ute.
Mr. Thompson— Now 1 am prepared to answer
the gentleman's question, because I think I
apprehend it. I'poo the theory of the gentle-
man we have no right to elect a Superin-
tendent of Public Buildings and Common and
Squares because the statute says it is the City
Council tbat must take care of tbe public build-
ings and the Common and public grounds. [Mr.
Richardson rose to speak.] I will not give way to
the gentleman again; let him debate it at the
proper time. The ordinance relating to the Com-
mittee on Public Grounds provides that there
shall be appointed a joint committee of tbe City
Council on the Coinuion and Public Grounds.
This joint committee is a creature of the City
Section 3 of the same ordinance provides
for the election of tbe Superintendent of Public
Grounds. That is to say, your Joint Committee
and Superintendent of Public Grounds are crea-
tures ot the ordinance; in other words, they are
the representatives of this body to perform those
duties. Now, the only question is as to the dele-
gation of our power. I admit, with the gentlemen
from Wards 13 and 10, that this body cannot dele-
gate this power. But, it is a question of how we
shall do certain duties incumbent upon us. We
can do them through such ageucies as we choose
to select. We may select a committee of this
body to take care of the Common aud public
grounds, or we may do it through the Park
Commissioners. Those gentlemen do not take
it as Park Commissioners. We can as well
strike out the words "Park Commissioners" and
insert "Directors ot East Boston Ferries and Fire
Commissioners." The gentleman from Ward 13
has quoted from the statute of 1875 to the effect
tbat the Park Commissioners can have no such
authority. But the City Council has lull authority
to select what agents they please, and the ques-
tion before us is which will be the most economi-
cal method of managing the department. The
Back Bay Park and all other park* must be under
the Pa>-k Commissioners. Shall we have a divided
head— the parks under one head and the
public grounds under another? Is not
it always less expensive to do business
under one head? The committee last year said
that this department must sooner or later come
under the charge of the Park Commissioners.
Mr. Spenceley raised the point of order that Mr.
Thompson had exceeded the three minutes' time
allowed each member for debate.
On motion of Mr. Richardson of Ward 10, Mr.
Thompson's time was extended.
Mr Thompson— It is unfortunate that there
should have beeu this legal complication in
regard to the matter, because there will be a
great many honest doubts about it. It is a
matter about which there should be no doubt. I
am in the unfortunate position in which there is
no doubt in tny mind. I have reached that state
after considerable trouble. It has not been a
matter of a day but of years of investigation. In
regard to the legal question raised in the mind of
MARCH 14
1 8 7 S
119
tbe gentleman from Ward 13, it he does not see
tit to act upon it, I should be in favor to give him
time to investigate it. We are all trying to inves-
tigate it honestly and get ai the best tbing to be
done. The legal question is this: We have
certain powers delegatod to us by the Legislature,
and the question is, can we delegate them to any-
body else? We do not take them out of our con-
trol. We do not say to the Park Commissioners
you shall exercise those rights; but we say, you
shall do it under our control. Any day we say we
are tired of your exercising this power, all we can
do is by a majority vote to take it away from you.
This answers all that oscurs to me. The Directors
of the East Boston Ferries manage the ferries.
The City Council have nothing to do with them
except to appropriate the money. We have
a Committee on the East Boston Ferries,
but they have nothing to do with the
management of the ferries. How did tbe Board
of Directors of the East Boston ferries get that
power? We gave it to them by the ordinance. If
we did not give it to them by the ordinance they
have no right to exist today. I apprehend that
no gentleman here will say that that ordinance
does not stand today. It is precisely the same in
this case, except that the City Council did not
have charge of the ferries, but the control of them
lay in the Board of Aldermen; and tbe ordinance
establishing toe Directors of the East Bostoti fer-
ries so pas>ed by the City Council. If the gentle-
man will turn to the ordinance on the East Boston
Ferries he will find it as I have stated. As I said
before, we can delegate this power to the Fire
Commissioners, to the Chief of Police, or to the
Joint Special Committee on Parks, to the Joint
Committee on Health, or any other committee. It
is merely a question of names— of selecting your
names. The only question, then, that remains is,
which is the best agent for us to select? It seems
to me that this quastion is made so plain that it is
not worth the time necessary to discuss it.
This department is peculiar. All the money is
to be spent in the spring and all the preparations
for spending it should be made in the fall. Now,
all the committees in power go out of office in the
fall, just when new preparations should be made
for the spring; and a new committee comes in
just at the time when the work begins, and when
they want knowledge we are not in working or-
der. It was pointed out by the gentleman from
Ward 11.
Mr. Rosnosky of Ward 1G— I rise to a point of
order. The time for debate has expired.
The President said it was correct.
Mr. Thompson— I am thankful that the time has
expired, because my speech has just expired, and
I thank the Council for extending my time.
Mr. Barry of Ward 22—1 am opposed to the pas-
sage of this order because of the principle in-
volved, and also because I do not think anything
will be gained by it. We have been told by the
advocates of this measure that the public grounds
have become of such importance that they can-
not be controlled by a committee ot the City
Council; and this assertion is backed up
by our present committee. That is, gentlemen, or
a large majority of them, without any
previous experience, and without giving it any
trial, presume to say by their report which they
brought in, that the department can be better
managed by the Park Commissioners than by a
committee of this body. Now, sir, if that conclu-
sion had been reached after eight, or ten or six
months' trial, I might be inclined to attach some
importance to the verdict. But the only conclu-
sion 1 can come to— and I say it with all due re-
spect to the committee — that they have shown a
lack of competency on their part, or else it is
easier to pass the work over to the Park
Commissioners and so get rid of the duty. Now
sir, 1 do not think there are any particular ben-
efits to be gained by this order. You only abolish
the Superietendent of Common; with that excep-
tion it remains as it was. In this department, as
in others, you have got to have practical men at
the head of it, not merely superficial theorists in
the whole field of botany. But, sir, there are still
graver reasons against it. Notwithstanding all
that has been said against the committee, I still
think it is a virtual transfer of the powers of the
people from them without their consent. If
we transfer it without the consent of the
people I think it is morally wrong. The govern-
ment of municipalities has caused a most wide-
spread interest in this country, but whenever a
change has been proposed, the first step had
been to appoint a commission to find out the faults
and propose remedies. But it remained for the
city of Boston to assume that it is not necessary
to have such a commission, and they seek to force
it through without the voice ot the people, nolens
volens. Now, sir, I heartily concur, with the
Mayor in his inaugural address, where he says —
"While I am fully sensible of the defects in our
present system ot municipal administration, I
cannot help regarding with distrust any scheme
for curing them by a radical change of the New
England system under which we have grown up;
and which, notwithstanding its defects, has thus
far produced better results than any other system
that has been tried in this country. I cannot do
more at this time than indicate very briefly, and I
fear very imperfectly, the reasons I have for
doubting the propriety or the expediency of at-
tempting to raise the standard of municipal gov-
ernment by a limitation of the suffrage. Such
legislation would be contrary to the traditions,
the education and the practice of our people, and
would create a sense of personal wrong on the
part of those who were deprived of the full privi-
leges of citizenship, which, in its evil effects,
would far outweigh any good results that would
follow the adoptio 
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